Based on NIH | Is ibuprofen safe for someone with a peanut or tree nut allergy, or do any formulations contain nut-derived ingredients?

Most standard ibuprofen products do not contain peanut or tree‑nut ingredients, and the active drug itself is not derived from nuts. However, inactive ingredients (excipients) vary by brand and strength, so it’s important to check each product’s label because manufacturers may use different coatings, starches, or waxes. ^{[1] [2]}

Key takeaways

• Most over‑the‑counter and prescription ibuprofen tablets list excipients such as microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, starches (often corn), polyethylene glycol, povidone, silica, and titanium dioxide none of which are peanut or tree‑nut derived. ^{[3] [4]}
• Some products include carnauba wax (from a palm tree leaf), polydextrose, lactose, colorants, and common tablet lubricants; these are not peanut/tree‑nut ingredients. ^{[4] [5]}
• Because formulations differ, reviewing the exact DailyMed entry or package label for the product you plan to use is a prudent step. ^{[1] [6]}

What the labels show

DailyMed listings for multiple ibuprofen products show typical inactive ingredient profiles without nut derivatives:

• Hospital‑strength ibuprofen tablets (400–800 mg): colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch, povidone, sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide. These are not peanut/tree‑nut ingredients. ^{[3] [7]}
• Another ibuprofen tablet listing includes carnauba wax, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, and polysorbate in addition to standard fillers again, not nut‑derived. ^{[4] [8]}
• Branded OTC listings (e.g., Advil 200 mg) show microcrystalline cellulose, corn starch, stearic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, sucrose, colorants, and coating agents no peanut/tree‑nut components. ^{[2] [1]}
• Store‑brand formulations similarly list lactose, carnauba wax, hypromellose, iron oxides, sodium starch glycolate, and corn starch still no nut‑derived excipients. ^{[6] [9]}

Special considerations for severe food allergy

• Pharmaceutical excipients can sometimes be food‑derived, but clinically important allergic reactions to food components in medications are uncommon because protein content (the allergenic part) is usually very low. Still, vigilance is reasonable for those with severe, IgE‑mediated allergies. ^[10]
• If you have reacted to a specific ibuprofen product before, it may be due to a particular excipient or an idiosyncratic drug reaction rather than nut exposure; in that case, evaluate the exact product lot and consider an alternative formulation. ^[10]

What about “wax,” “oils,” and “stearates”?

• Carnauba wax is from Copernicia prunifera (a palm), not from peanuts or tree nuts; it is widely used in tablet coatings. ^[5]
• Magnesium stearate and stearic acid in drugs are typically sourced from vegetable or animal fats and are not peanut/tree‑nut ingredients; labels do not indicate nut sourcing in standard ibuprofen products reviewed. ^{[4] [2]}
• None of the reviewed ibuprofen listings include peanut oil (arachis oil) or tree‑nut oils. If a product were to contain peanut oil, it would appear on the ingredient list and should be avoided by those with peanut allergy. ^{[2] [1]}

Practical guidance

• Choose well‑characterized brands and check the exact product label each time, as excipients can change. DailyMed entries provide the authoritative, current ingredient list for U.S. products. ^{[1] [2]}
• If you have both a severe nut allergy and multiple excipient sensitivities, consider plain, film‑coated tablets without flavorings or complex coatings, and verify ingredients by NDC on DailyMed. ^{[1] [3]}
• If uncertainty remains, your pharmacist can contact the manufacturer to confirm excipient sourcing for a specific lot. Compounded ibuprofen (rarely needed) can omit suspect excipients if there’s a clear history of reactions. ^{[11] [12]}

Summary

Based on multiple U.S. ibuprofen product labels, ibuprofen itself is not nut‑derived, and typical formulations do not include peanut or tree‑nut ingredients. While true nut components are not standard in ibuprofen tablets, always verify the inactive ingredient list for your specific product and avoid any product that explicitly lists peanut (arachis) oil or a known personal trigger excipient. ^{[1] [2]}