Ibuprofen was discovered in 1961 by researchers Stewart Adams and John Nicholson at Boots in the United Kingdom.

Key discovery facts

  • The active ibuprofen molecule (2‑(4‑isobutylphenyl) propionic acid) was identified and patented in 1961.
  • Development work on related compounds began in the early 1950s as part of a project to find a safer alternative to aspirin for rheumatoid arthritis.

From lab to medicine

  • Ibuprofen was first marketed as a prescription drug in the UK in 1969, initially under the brand name Brufen.
  • It later became available over the counter in the UK in 1983 after its safety profile was well established.

Mini historical note

  • The discovery team at Boots screened hundreds of aspirin‑like compounds before arriving at ibuprofen as an effective anti‑inflammatory.
  • Stewart Adams is often personally credited as the lead scientist behind the discovery , and he famously tried ibuprofen on himself for a hangover during early testing.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.