Advil

Advil is one of the world's most recognized over-the-counter pain relief brands, offering ibuprofen-based products for temporary relief of minor aches, pains, and fever. Currently owned by Haleon, Advil first entered the American market in 1984 through Whitehall (a division of Wyeth), the same year ibuprofen gained FDA approval for over-the-counter sales in the United States. This was considered the first nonprescription ibuprofen in America and 'the most famous prescription-to-OTC switch in history.'

The brand has been called a 'megabrand' because it offers various products for a wide range of pain, headache, cold, and sleep problems. As of 2024, there were 23 varieties of Advil available on the U.S. market, including Extra Strength, Rapid Release Gels, Dual Action, PM formulations, and Children's products. The brand's commitment to innovation was recognized in September 2024 when Advil Dual Action became the first over-the-counter pain reliever to earn the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.

Advil's corporate ownership has evolved significantly over the decades. American Home Products (later renamed Wyeth) originally marketed ibuprofen under the Advil name. Pfizer acquired Wyeth in 2009. In 2019, Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline combined their consumer healthcare departments into a joint venture, which was spun off in 2022 as Haleon, now one of the world's largest consumer healthcare companies.

Haleon was established on July 18, 2022, as a corporate spin-off from GSK. The company owns other major brands including Sensodyne, Panadol, Centrum, and Theraflu. In early 2025, Pfizer sold its entire stake in Haleon for over $3 billion, completing its exit from the consumer healthcare business.