Ibuprofen Molecule in 3D: C₁₃H₁₈O₂ Structure and Facts

Ibuprofen is a medicine used for pain, fever and swelling. It belongs to the group of medicines called NSAIDs. In Molecule Studio you can spin the ibuprofen molecule, zoom in on each atom and measure its bonds.

3D ball and stick model of the ibuprofen molecule, C13H18O2Explore in 3D
Ibuprofen, a common painkiller, as a 3D ball and stick model in VisionVix Molecule Studio. Click the picture to open it live.

Ibuprofen quick facts

Chemical formulaC₁₃H₁₈O₂
Molar mass206.29 g/mol
Atoms in one molecule33
ShapeRing with two side chains
GroupMedicines

What is ibuprofen used for?

  • Pain relief
  • Lowering fever
  • Reducing swelling

Interesting facts about ibuprofen

  • It was developed in the UK in the 1960s by a team at Boots.
  • It blocks the same COX enzymes as aspirin.
  • Its molecule has a left-handed and a right-handed form.
  • It is one of the most widely used medicines in the world.

What you can do in 3D

Turn the molecule to see it from every side, switch between ball and stick, space filling and wire views, and tap atoms to measure bond lengths and angles.

More medicines molecules

PreviousAspirinNextParacetamol

Ibuprofen questions

What is the formula of ibuprofen?

C13H18O2.

How does ibuprofen work?

It blocks COX enzymes, reducing chemicals that cause pain, fever and swelling.

Who invented ibuprofen?

A team at Boots in the UK, led by Stewart Adams, in the 1960s.

Is ibuprofen an NSAID?

Yes. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Molecule Studio is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up. In the tool, molecules load from the built-in library or from PubChem.