September 2026

The IP 464 Pill: Identifying Ibuprofen 400 mg

By Your Health Magazine Health Information Team

You find a loose white tablet in a medicine cabinet or travel bag. One side reads “IP 464,” but the original bottle is missing. Is it a pain reliever, and is it safe to take? A pill with IP 464 is identified in official medication labeling as ibuprofen 400 mg. However, identifying a tablet is only the first step. You should also confirm where it came from, whether it was prescribed for you, and whether ibuprofen is safe with your health conditions and other medications.

What Is the Pill With IP 464?

The IP 464 pill is a white, round, film-coated tablet containing 400 milligrams of ibuprofen. Ibuprofen belongs to a medication class called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. It reduces the body’s production of substances involved in pain, inflammation, and fever.

The 400 mg tablet bearing this imprint is labeled as a prescription product. Lower-strength ibuprofen is also widely available without a prescription, but that does not make an unidentified or previously prescribed tablet appropriate for everyone. The IP 464 pill is not an opioid, antibiotic, or acetaminophen product.

Official descriptions generally identify the tablet by its white color, round shape, and “IP 464” imprint. If a pill has a different color, shape, marking, or visible damage, do not assume it is ibuprofen. Counterfeit products, labeling changes, and storage outside the original container can make visual identification less reliable. A pharmacist can inspect the tablet and compare it with current medication databases.

What Is Ibuprofen 400 mg Used For?

Ibuprofen may be prescribed to manage pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as arthritis, menstrual cramps, muscle aches, dental pain, injuries, and other short-term painful conditions. It can also reduce fever. Whether it is appropriate depends on the cause of the symptoms, the person’s medical history, and the other medicines being used.

Ibuprofen is the active ingredient in several familiar pain-relief products. Brand and generic versions may contain the same medicine even when their appearance and strength differ. For more context, see this explanation of how Advil and ibuprofen are related.

Because many cold, flu, headache, sleep, and combination pain products contain an NSAID, it is easy to take overlapping ingredients without realizing it. Reading every Drug Facts label and prescription label can help prevent accidental duplication.

Important Safety Considerations

Ibuprofen can be effective for pain and inflammation, but it is not risk-free. NSAIDs can irritate the digestive tract and may cause ulcers or bleeding in the stomach or intestines. These complications can sometimes develop without early warning symptoms.

The risk of serious stomach bleeding may be higher in older adults and in people with a history of ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding. It may also increase with prolonged use, alcohol consumption, smoking, or the use of certain medications, including blood thinners, corticosteroids, aspirin, and other NSAIDs.

NSAIDs may also raise the risk of heart attack or stroke, particularly with higher exposure, longer use, or existing cardiovascular disease. Ibuprofen should not be used immediately before or after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. People with high blood pressure, heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, or fluid retention should discuss NSAID use with a healthcare professional.

Kidneys and Dehydration

Ibuprofen can reduce blood flow to the kidneys. This may be especially concerning for people with kidney disease, older adults, and anyone who is dehydrated because of vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, or inadequate fluid intake. Certain blood pressure medicines and diuretics may add to this risk.

Allergic and Asthma Reactions

Some people develop serious reactions to ibuprofen or related pain relievers. Warning signs can include hives, facial or throat swelling, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or a spreading rash. People who have previously reacted to aspirin or another NSAID should not take an IP 464 tablet unless a qualified clinician has specifically advised that it is safe.

Pregnancy

NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can cause pregnancy complications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises avoiding NSAIDs at approximately 20 weeks of pregnancy or later unless their use is specifically recommended and monitored by a healthcare professional. Anyone who is pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should consult an obstetric clinician, primary care professional, or pharmacist before using ibuprofen.

Common Side Effects

Not everyone experiences side effects, but ibuprofen may cause digestive discomfort or other symptoms. Possible effects include:

Heartburn or indigestion
Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
Constipation, diarrhea, or gas
Dizziness
Swelling caused by fluid retention

New, persistent, or worsening symptoms deserve attention. Do not ignore stomach discomfort simply because ibuprofen is a familiar medication, especially if you have risk factors for bleeding or kidney problems. Additional general safety information is available through the MedlinePlus drug information resource.

What to Do If You Find an IP 464 Pill

Do not take a loose pill solely because its imprint appears to match an online description. Check the original prescription container if it is available, including the patient’s name, medication strength, expiration information, and directions. If the tablet cannot be connected to a properly labeled container, bring it to a pharmacist for identification and disposal guidance.

Never use another person’s prescription ibuprofen. A clinician may have selected that strength after considering the patient’s age, symptoms, medical conditions, and current medications. Sharing prescription medicine can expose someone else to preventable interactions or complications.

Store medicine in its original child-resistant container, away from excess heat and moisture. Keep it out of reach of children and pets. A weekly pill organizer can be helpful, but maintain an updated medication list so each tablet can still be identified.

When to Seek Care

Get emergency help for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, severe difficulty breathing, facial or throat swelling, fainting, vomiting blood, or black or bloody stools. These may indicate a cardiovascular event, severe allergic reaction, or internal bleeding.

Contact a healthcare professional promptly for reduced urination, unexplained swelling, severe stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, a significant rash, or pain and fever that persist or worsen. A primary care clinician can evaluate ongoing symptoms, while a pharmacist can review medication identity, interactions, and duplication risks.

If someone may have taken too much ibuprofen, do not wait for symptoms to develop. In the United States, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 immediately if the person is unconscious, having a seizure, struggling to breathe, or cannot be awakened.

The Bottom Line

A white, round pill with IP 464 is identified as prescription ibuprofen 400 mg, an NSAID used for pain and inflammation. Even when the imprint appears clear, avoid taking a loose or unverified tablet. Confirm it with the labeled container or a pharmacist, review possible interactions, and consider personal risks involving the stomach, heart, kidneys, allergies, and pregnancy.