Based on NIH | Does ibuprofen contain egg-derived ingredients that could affect people with egg allergies?

Ibuprofen itself does not contain egg, but certain combination and branded over‑the‑counter (OTC) products that include ibuprofen do list egg‑derived excipients, while many plain ibuprofen products do not. ^[1] Some Advil combination formulations (for sinus/allergy relief) include egg phospholipids as inactive ingredients, which could be relevant for people with egg allergy. ^{[2] [3]} Choosing a plain ibuprofen tablet without egg‑derived excipients is often possible by checking the product’s inactive ingredient list. ^{[4] [1]}

Key takeaway

• Plain ibuprofen tablets from many manufacturers typically do not list egg‑derived ingredients. ^{[4] [1]}
• Some ibuprofen combination products (e.g., Advil Sinus/Allergy lines) list “egg phospholipids.” ^{[2] [3]}
• People with egg allergy should read the specific product’s inactive ingredients or use DailyMed to verify. ^{[2] [3] [1]}

Why egg shows up in some ibuprofen products

“Egg phospholipids” are emulsifiers derived from egg that may be used as excipients (inactive ingredients) in certain formulations to aid coating or stability. ^{[2] [3]} Not all ibuprofen products use these; excipients vary widely by brand and dosage form. ^{[4] [1]}

Examples from official labels

• Advil Sinus Congestion & Pain (ibuprofen + phenylephrine): inactive ingredients include “egg phospholipids.” ^{[2] [3]}
• Advil Allergy & Congestion Relief (chlorpheniramine + ibuprofen + phenylephrine): also lists “egg phospholipids.” ^{[5] [6]}
• Plain ibuprofen tablets (various manufacturers): commonly list excipients such as microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, silicon dioxide, stearates, and sometimes soybean lecithin, but not egg‑derived ingredients. ^{[1] [4]}

How risky is this for egg allergy?

Reactions to food‑derived excipients in medications appear to be uncommon, likely because the amounts of allergenic proteins are usually very small. ^[7] Nonetheless, if an excipient is of egg origin and a person has a history of severe egg allergy, it would be prudent to avoid products listing egg components or to discuss with an allergist. ^[7] Clear labeling of food‑derived excipients is recommended so people with food allergies can make safe choices. ^[8]

Practical tips for choosing an ibuprofen product

• Prefer plain ibuprofen tablets/caplets that do not list egg‑derived ingredients on the label. ^{[4] [1]}
• Avoid ibuprofen combination products that explicitly list “egg phospholipids.” ^{[2] [3] [6]}
• Verify ingredients on DailyMed by searching the exact product name and reviewing the “Inactive ingredients” section. ^{[2] [3] [1]}
• If in doubt, consult your pharmacist; many can recommend an egg‑free formulation and may know manufacturers that avoid egg‑derived excipients. ^[8]

Special notes on other excipients you may see

• Some labels list “lecithin, soybean,” which is soy‑derived, not egg‑derived. ^[1]
• Gelatin can appear in some combination products, but it is not egg; its relevance depends on dietary or allergy needs. ^{[9] [10]}
• Different strengths and dosage forms (tablets, gelcaps, combination cold/sinus products) may use different excipients, so always check the exact product rather than assuming across a brand line. ^{[9] [10] [1]}

Bottom line

• Ibuprofen as an active drug does not inherently contain egg; however, some specific ibuprofen combination products do include egg‑derived phospholipids. ^{[2] [3]}
• Many plain ibuprofen tablets are egg‑free based on their labeled inactive ingredients. ^{[4] [1]}
• People with egg allergy can generally use an egg‑free plain ibuprofen product after verifying the excipients, and should avoid formulations that list egg phospholipids. ^{[2] [3] [1] [7] [8]}