Ibuprofen

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/ibuprofen

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Who discovered Ibuprofen?1961
2. What is the discoverers?Stewart Adams and John Nicholson
3. What is the chemical class?Propionic acid derivative (NSAID)
4. What does ibuprofen do in our body to help with pain and fever?Ibuprofen blocks special enzymes called COX-1 and COX-2. By doing this, it stops the body from making chemicals called prostaglandins that cause pain, swelling, and fever.
5. Why was ibuprofen invented instead of using aspirin?Scientists at Boots in the UK wanted a safer medicine than aspirin for arthritis. They created ibuprofen in 1961, and it worked better and had fewer side effects.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID): A class of drugs that reduces pain, fever, and inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.
Prostaglandins: Lipid compounds involved in inflammation, pain, fever, and other physiological processes.
Cyclooxygenase (COX) Enzymes: Enzymes responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins; ibuprofen inhibits COX-1 and COX-2.
Primary Dysmenorrhea: Painful menstrual periods caused by uterine contractions, often managed with NSAIDs like ibuprofen.