Is Ibuprofen Safe to Take Every Day?

The popular OTC painkillers are designed for short-term use, and for good reason. 

 
I go through a bottle of ibuprofen every few months – it’s my go-to for all my aches and pains. Do I have to worry about taking it too much?

Dear Reader:

Yes, you do! Ibuprofen has been around since the 1960s and is one of the most popular OTC anti-inflammatories available, especially since it works so well for joint pain, which many of us have. But like any drug, it should be used sparingly and only in the short-term. This goes for all other types of drugs in the NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) category, including other OTC medicines such as naproxen as well as prescription NSAIDs such as diclofenac sodium. When you become too reliant on these medications over an extended period time, it raises the risk of kidney damage.

Why the Kidney?

As a nephrologist, or kidney doctor, I have a unique vantage point. I have seen the damaging, irreparable effects that excessive OTC painkiller use can leave on the kidney, a life-sustaining organ that balances the electrolytes in our body and removes excess fluid.

The damage from NSAIDs happens indirectly. The medicines work by blocking the production of chemicals called prostaglandins, which cause pain and inflammation. But prostaglandin also plays a role in blood flow to the kidney, so when production drops, kidney cells don’t get enough oxygen from blood and they begin to die off.

Kidney cells have a limited capacity to repair themselves, so in many cases the damage is irreversible. Unfortunately, there is no treatment or cure for kidney damage – the condition can only be managed from getting worse. In severe cases, a dialysis machine is needed to do the work of the kidney.

Simple Testing Can Tell

All of this is easily avoided! Before you get ready to take that pill, ask yourself, do I really need this? Am I taking too much? A typical pattern is patients starting with one to two ibuprofen a week, and when that does not solve the problem, they increase their dosage and frequency. This is when problems may occur.

To further complicate matters, everyone tolerates ibuprofen differently. Some long-term users might have no kidney damage whatsoever, however, I had one patient who took NSAIDs for two to three months and ended up on dialysis. That is extremely rare, but it emphasizes the importance of being aware and getting a kidney screen at your next checkup. Some doctors may not order this simple urine or blood test routinely, so if you are a frequent NSAID user you should specifically request it.

If this screen comes back with elevated levels of creatinine, your physician will likely refer you to someone like me who can evaluate further. Unfortunately, there are no symptoms to indicate the onset of kidney damage, but one of the more common side effects of NSAIDs, stomach irritation, may be an indication that you are taking too many and you should see your primary care physician to get checked out.

Use Common Sense

As with any medication, moderation and common sense is best. Stick with a low dose and low frequency. Also, consider these alternatives that lessen the risk of kidney damage:

• Acetaminophen – For most people, it doesn’t work as well as ibuprofen for joint and arthritic pain, but the risk of kidney damage is much lower.
• Excedrin – A combo pill that includes aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine. Aspirin is also an NSAID, but in low doses will not damage the kidney.
• Turmeric – This Middle Eastern spice contains curcumin, known for its anti-swelling properties. It’s also available in pill and topical form.

Remember, it’s always a good idea to review your recent medication history with your primary care physician during your annual checkups. Just because it’s OTC, doesn’t mean it is not without risks.

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Is it safe to take every day?

Arthritis has no cure, but doctors may recommend or prescribe daily ibuprofen to help ease the pain associated with arthritis.

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, and it can be chronic or acute. Arthritis presents with several symptoms, including joint stiffness and joint deformities. The inflammation can also cause joint pain, which can be severe.

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). As its name suggests, NSAIDs reduce inflammation without the use of corticosteroids. They have the potential to reduce the pain from arthritis by reducing inflammation.

This article looks at how a person can take ibuprofen to treat the pain associated with arthritis.

After explaining whether it works and examining its safety, the article details how to take ibuprofen for arthritis. It also discusses the potential risks of taking ibuprofen for arthritis and other ways to manage the pain.

Alongside some other NSAIDs, ibuprofen is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a stand-alone arthritis treatment.

Generally, healthcare professionals do not recommend taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers for more than a few days in a row.

Arthritis does not always cause constant joint pain. During an arthritis flare-up, arthritic pain can suddenly worsen over short periods. A person with arthritis may get the greatest benefit from ibuprofen by taking it when arthritic pain is especially severe.

If arthritic pain persists after taking ibuprofen for several days, a person should seek a doctor’s advice. A doctor may prescribe daily ibuprofen to treat chronic pain associated with arthritis.

In these cases, a doctor may prescribe or recommend slow-release ibuprofen tablets. A person can take these once or twice per day depending on the dose.

According to 2021 research, long-term use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen have associations with adverse gastrointestinal (GI) reactions. These can include GI bleeding and peptic ulcer disease.

To help prevent this, a doctor may prescribe medication to protect the stomach if a person needs to take ibuprofen for longer than 6 months.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, a person only taking ibuprofen for a few days can take 200–400 milligrams (mg) every 4–6 hours. In these cases, a person should not take more than 1,200 mg per day.

Unless a doctor instructs otherwise, a person should not take ibuprofen for longer than 10 days in a row.

Anyone who takes ibuprofen for arthritis should not exceed the maximum dosage unless the doctor explicitly recommends a higher one. Your doctor or the medication label can outline what the maximum dosage is for a specific strength and form of ibuprofen.

Prescription ibuprofen

A doctor will likely prescribe the lowest effective dose, for the shortest amount of time possible. Doctors will tailor the doses to each person and the dose may increase or decrease depending on symptom severity.

According to DailyMed, a doctor may prescribe up to 1,200–3,200 mg per day for rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

Those with rheumatoid arthritis may require higher doses than those with osteoarthritis. For either condition, a person should not exceed 3,200 mg per day.

Special instructions

Most experts recommend that people take ibuprofen at the same time each day, alongside food.

If GI side effects develop, people may benefit from coating the stomach. People can take the medication alongside food, milk, or non-dairy milk. GI side effects can include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• upset stomach
• heartburn
• stomach cramps

People should also avoid taking ibuprofen alongside any other NSAIDs.

Generally speaking, ibuprofen is a safe medication. However, it may be unsuitable for certain people.

These individuals include:

• people with an allergy or hypersensitivity to NSAIDs
• people with certain health conditions, including GI bleeding and heart failure
• preterm infants, or infants who are born early

Anyone concerned that ibuprofen might be unsafe for them should speak with a doctor.

Taking ibuprofen carries some risks. Research has discovered that ibuprofen usage has several side effects, even with lower doses. They include:

• GI bleeding
• dehydration
• higher blood pressure
• a rash, which might indicate ibuprofen allergy or hypersensitivity

These side effects do not affect everyone who takes ibuprofen. They can also vary in severity from person to person. If ibuprofen side effects feel significant, or could indicate an allergy, a person should seek a doctor’s advice.

It is also possible for some individuals to exceed the safe ibuprofen dosage. An ibuprofen overdose can cause severe GI bleeding. In some cases, it may also cause:

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• seizures
• hypotension
• respiratory problems
• high blood pressure

An ibuprofen overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Research has shown that some medications interact with NSAIDs, sometimes in harmful ways. These include:

• certain immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, others) and tacrolimus (Prograf, Astagraf XL), causing kidney damage
• anticoagulants, such as clopidogrel (Plavix), causing bleeding
• blood pressure medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• some diuretics

Individuals considering ibuprofen for arthritic pain may want to seek a doctor’s advice. Doctors can advise about which medications to avoid while taking ibuprofen.

Doctors can also recommend alternative medications for arthritic pain, which might work better than ibuprofen.

There are many different medications for treating arthritic pain. However, their efficacy varies.

For example, although acetaminophen functions to reduce pain, it is less efficient than NSAIDs for treating arthritis. However, some NSAIDs are more beneficial than others.

Additionally, some NSAIDs only help at higher doses.

A review into NSAIDs for treating osteoarthritic pain suggests the following results:

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others): 1,200 mg per day is no more effective than a placebo.
• Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others): 750 mg per day is no more effective than a placebo.
• Diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, others): 70 mg per day is no more effective than a placebo. However, it becomes more effective than a placebo at 150 mg per day.

Diclofenac can greatly reduce arthritic pain and improve mobility in people with osteoarthritis. The review authors note that diclofenac may be the most effective NSAID for arthritic pain.

Learn more

Learn more about pain medication for arthritis:

• What are the best medicines for arthritis pain?
• Best pain medication for severe arthritis
• Can CBD oil relieve arthritis pain?

According to a review in Frontiers in Medicine, there is evidence that exercise can reduce arthritic pain. This includes both aerobic exercise and strength training.

However, the review authors note that more research is necessary on this topic.

People may find that cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-focused group activities are also helpful.

In some cases, doctors might also recommend surgical interventions. In addition to reducing pain, surgery can improve a person’s range of motion.

Learn more about the best home remedies for arthritis.

Ibuprofen may help some people to manage arthritic pain. People should avoid taking ibuprofen for arthritis every day without speaking to a doctor first.

To treat flare-ups or short-term pain, a person can take 200–400 mg every 4–6 hours, for no longer than 10 days.

A doctor may prescribe daily ibuprofen to treat chronic pain associated with arthritis. They will tailor each dosage based on an individual’s needs.

what are the dangers of painkillers and how to take them correctly?

Acute, aching, chronic and even phantom pain – pain can be so different, but in all cases it gives us a number of inconveniences. However, this is not the symptom with which we rush to the doctor: even if the pain is very severe, most people choose self-medication – there are drugs for this in every medicine cabinet today. For each type of pain, you can choose your own medicine, and as a rule, you do not need a prescription to buy it. But at the moment of a sharp attack, we rarely think about how to take painkillers correctly: the only thing that worries us is that this agony would stop soon.

Meanwhile, there are a number of rules that must be strictly observed, otherwise the consequences can be very deplorable. MIR 24 found out from doctors how many painkillers can be taken per day, in what cases a doctor’s appointment is necessary, and what an overdose threatens.

No more than 10 tablets per month

Pain should never be ignored, notes general practitioner, senior medical consultant at Teledoctor24 Maria Menshikova . “Whether the pain is acute or chronic, it cannot be tolerated, and painkillers must be used to bring our pain perception system back to normal and ourselves back to life in the truest sense of the word. Now for pain relief, many drugs of various pharmacological groups are used. These are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anticonvulsants and antidepressants, as well as narcotic analgesics (morphine and other opiates and opioids),” the doctor lists.

Rheumatologist Alexander Elonakov I am convinced that you should take any medication only as directed by a doctor. This also applies to painkillers. “The intake of such medicines is possible if a diagnosis is established and a doctor has been prescribed to relieve certain manifestations of the disease. At the same time, the patient should receive explanations about the main properties of the drugs, dosages and regimen of use, should be familiar with the typical possible side effects,” he said.

However, if you do decide to take a pill, take the trouble to read the instructions carefully, and also follow a few important rules. First of all, you should take care of protecting the stomach and liver.

“Practically all painkillers have a damaging effect on the gastric mucosa, so they should never be taken on an empty stomach,” says Maria Menshikova. – Take the pills only with water, this is important. Sometimes, to enhance the effect, a person decides to increase the dose, drink two or three tablets. This is not a solution to the problem, but rather a way to get toxic damage to the liver, especially if this is practiced constantly.

The same applies to taking several analgesics of different groups at the same time. The annotation to any drug indicates a single and maximum daily dose. Under no circumstances should it be exceeded.

“It is recommended that you take no more than two tablets per day. Per month – no more than 10 tablets, since this category of drugs also has undesirable (side) reactions – abuse headache, aggressive effects on the gastric mucosa and duodenum, cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, etc. ” – clarifies general practitioner “SM-Clinic” in Solnechnogorsk Elena Zhurkina .

Is it worth it?

Another question often arises: when should I take painkillers? Is it worth waiting until the pain becomes completely unbearable, or, on the contrary, take a pill in advance, when only the first signs of an impending illness loomed?

“Many studies have shown that attempts to endure pain have an extremely negative effect on the human body, as nerve cells die in the brain. Few people know that the constant ignoring of pain can lead to various cardiovascular pathologies, reduced immunity, dystonia, and so on, ”says Elena Zhurkina .

“One of the most common situations is when a person endures pain to the last. There are no real arguments in favor of patience, not a single one, – confirms Maria Menshikova. – Remember: any pain should be stopped as soon as possible. I emphasize that if it is a pain in the heart or in the abdomen, a headache associated with an increase in pressure, you need to call an ambulance to rule out life-threatening conditions. Toothache, headache, in the back, during critical days, it is quite amenable to anesthesia.

For those who do not want to abuse medication, there are other means of pain relief – more gentle, but no less effective, adds the therapist.

“B vitamins have an analgesic effect and help with neuritis and neuralgia. A headache can stop bothering if you drink two glasses of water. Pain on critical days (despite the fact that, in principle, it should not be, it is always a reason to consult a gynecologist) weakens when magnesium is taken a few days before the start of the cycle, ”advises the doctor.

Three forbidden pains

Pain, no matter how painful it may be for us, is of great benefit. It is she who signals about some damage in the body, forcing us to pay attention to our health.

“Pain sensations can be different: sudden and sharp, aching or pressing, growing or paroxysmal. It is important to remain calm and try to identify what exactly is causing the discomfort.
In some cases, the body is able to overcome mild pain on its own. And with minor discomfort, you do not need to immediately resort to the help of painkillers so that the body does not forget how to cope with pain on its own. Otherwise, any kind of pain will have to be stopped with pills, which will be harmful to health.
Severe, recurring, poorly self-treated pain requires seeking medical help,” warns Elena Zhurkina.

Like Maria Menshikova, she distinguishes three groups of situations in which it is strictly forbidden to take painkillers. Let’s analyze them in more detail.

1. Pain in the abdomen. Many important organs are located there, in which pathology could develop (pancreatitis, intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, hernia). Untimely medical intervention can lead to an aggravation of the situation. And drowning out the pain will not allow the doctor to establish its localization correctly. Stomach pain can be caused by dyspeptic disorder, in which case you should also immediately consult a doctor.
2. Headache. In this case, first of all, you need to measure blood pressure, a deviation of the indicator to a smaller or larger side can cause pain. To remove discomfort, you need to normalize the pressure.
3. Pain in the heart. The symptom cannot be ignored and conventional analgesics will not help. Shown are special cardiac remedies or an urgent call to an ambulance.

Up to and including death

Do not take painkillers as vitamins – these are very serious drugs, the illiterate use of which can lead to tragic results.

“Self-administration of painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to temporary relief of symptoms and pain, and in the meantime, complications of unrecognized diseases may develop. Especially dangerous are purulent complications of the brain, diseases of the teeth, abdominal and thoracic cavities, in which a lethal outcome can occur in a few hours, ”warns Alexander Elonakov.

“Studies in neurology and psychiatry show that long-term abuse of NSAIDs can lead to hypertension, internal and external edema, kidney failure, and heart attack or stroke. Some types of painkillers can negatively affect the digestive organs, causing the development of ulcers, gastritis, erosion, etc. Long-term use of painkillers can impair vision, causing the mucous membrane of the eye to dry out, ”adds Elena Zhurkina.

In addition, some painkillers can thicken the blood and can cause blood clots and, as a result, blockage of blood vessels. The outcome in such cases is unfavorable: diabetes mellitus, thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis, varicose veins and other serious diseases may develop.

“Excessive use of analgesics can disrupt the functioning of the liver: there will be a gradual accumulation of toxins in the body, because the organ will no longer be able to perform its work to the fullest. The result of slagging can be various dermatoses, skin rashes, allergic rashes, and so on, ”says the doctor.

How do you know if there is an excess of painkillers in the body? If you use painkillers for a long time and in large quantities, they can accumulate in the blood and tissues, causing a general deterioration in well-being, explains Elena Zhurkina.

The first signs of an overdose of painkillers are:

1. noise or ringing in the ears;
2. severe headache or migraine, which people also try to eliminate with analgesics, but as a rule there is no relief, and the situation only gets worse;
3. the digestive system will not work properly, heartburn, constipation or diarrhea, bloating and flatulence may occur.

In conclusion, the doctor gives ten “golden” rules for taking painkillers. By following them, you can definitely improve your well-being, while not harming the body.

10 rules for taking painkillers

1. Take it on time.

2. For the elderly, it is better to replace the tablet form with a local preparation.

3. Avoid alcohol. While taking analgesics, alcoholic beverages are prohibited, as they can enhance or weaken the effect of the drug.

4. Do not take on an empty stomach. To protect the mucosa, it is advisable to drink at least kefir, if the instructions do not provide for use on an empty stomach.

5. Take the tablet properly with warm water or tea in sufficient quantity. It is better when the tablet enters the stomach well moistened.

6. Do not split the tablet in half. A reduced dose will not have an effect, and a damaged shell will not protect the stomach from irritation, and the main active ingredient will not reach the intestines.

7. Strictly observe the dosage both for one application and per day, which is indicated in the instructions. Excess will lead to the manifestation of side effects and deterioration of the condition. As a rule, more than two tablets at a time are not allowed.

8. Do not combine drugs from different groups of analgesics.

9. Do not take the same drug frequently to avoid addiction and loss of effect from the use.

10. Do not use expired products. Expired drugs are deadly.

“When purchasing another package of painkillers, one should not forget that the medicine eliminates only the pain syndrome, but does not affect the root cause of the pain in any way. To identify the causes of pain and discomfort, it is necessary to visit a doctor, pass all the necessary tests and carry out a number of diagnostic measures, ”concludes Elena Zhurkina.

instructions for use, what Ibuprofen helps with and dosages for children and adults

Ibuprofen is considered to be the most effective and widely used remedy for the treatment of symptoms of colds and SARS. Some patients successfully get rid of the temperature with it and consider it an antipyretic, others stop them from serious pain of a chronic nature, for example, in the spine. The fact is that Ibuprofen has three properties at the same time: anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic.

Contents

1. Indications for use
2. Principle of pharmacological action
3. In what forms is Ibuprofen available?
4. Instructions for use Ibuprofen for adults and children
5. Ibuprofen for children
6. Ibuprofen ointment 5%
7. Can ibuprofen be used for coronavirus?
8. Side effect
9. Contraindications
10. Use in pregnancy and lactation
11. Special instructions
12. Interaction with other drugs

Ibuprofen

Indications for use

Ibuprofen belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – derivatives of phenylpropionic acid. In the instructions for tablets and capsules for adults, we see, first of all, prescriptions related to the symptomatic treatment of diseases of the joints or spine (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, sciatica), the fight against pain in injuries, myalgia and neuritis. In children’s forms, we find the following indications: sore throat, pain with otitis media, with teething, lowering fever with SARS or influenza, relieving symptoms of fever in childhood infections and post-vaccination reactions.

Of course, the testimony is not limited to the above. We list here the most common types of pathologies where Ibuprofen does an excellent job of eliminating inflammation and pain:

• Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, pain relief: ankylosing spondylitis, sciatica, osteochondrosis of the spine, exacerbation of gout, polyarthrosis, psoriatic arthritis, tendonitis, soft tissue inflammation in trauma, back pain, joint pain, injuries, sprains, dislocations, myalgia of a different nature.
• Diseases of the peripheral nervous system: neuralgia and neuritis.
• Gynecology: primary dysmenorrhea, secondary dysmenorrhea, pain during painful menstruation, adnexitis.
• Relief of various types of pain: toothache, headache, migraine, sore throat, otitis ear pain, muscle pain.
• Use as an antipyretic for fever, influenza, SARS and colds. Elevated temperature in infectious and inflammatory diseases.
• Relief after vaccination, including against coronavirus.

Principle of pharmacological action

Ibuprofen belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – derivatives of phenylpropionic acid.

In what forms is Ibuprofen available?

In pharmacies you can find four dosage forms of the drug:

• If there are no contraindications associated with the gastrointestinal tract, then usually people choose tablets or capsules.
• In cases where there is a disease of the stomach in the acute stage or the patient for some reason cannot swallow the pill, suppositories are prescribed.
• Infants are prescribed syrups. Most pediatricians prefer to bring down a high fever with Ibuprofen over Paracetamol because the former works faster and longer and has a poorer safety profile due to the absence of toxic metabolites.
• For pain in the joints, muscles, back, as well as injuries, the ointment is ideal.

Instructions for taking Ibuprofen for adults and children.

• A single dosage for an adult is 200 mg, in case of severe pain, 400 mg can be taken, the frequency of administration is 3-4 times a day, but not more than 1200 mg per day.
• Single dose for a child over 6 years old is 200 mg, can be taken 3-4 times a day. The maximum dosage for children per day has the following age differences: for children 12-17 years old – 1000 mg; for children aged 6 to 12 years – 800 mg.

How many days can I take Ibuprofen?

The drug is taken within 2-3 days, if the patient’s condition does not improve or becomes worse, it is necessary to stop taking and consult a doctor.

Ibuprofen for children

Ibuprofen syrup for children is used from the age of 3 months and can begin to work in as little as 15 minutes. Tablets work in 30 minutes.

How to use children’s syrups?

Children’s syrups are usually made with fruit fillers and therefore children take them with pleasure. For the smallest, there is a measuring syringe complete with syrup, where 1 ml contains a certain dose of Ibuprofen medicine.

It is necessary to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, the maximum daily dosage for a child is 30 mg per 1 kg of body weight, the interval between doses is from 6 to 8 hours. As we noted earlier, the duration of admission should not exceed 3 days. Syrups are popular and therefore they are often designed to be used up to 12 years, although tablets can also be used from 6 years.

The dose of syrup for a child can be determined from the table.

Ibuprofen ointment 5%

The drug is widely used as an external agent. Ointments, gels are produced in pure form or with the addition of coolants. The ointment helps with arthritis, sprains, pain from ligament damage, back pain, sports injuries, neuralgia.

How to use Ibuprofen ointment?

Usually the ointment is prescribed for adults and children over 14 years of age. The dosage depends on the manufacturing company. The gel from 4 to 10 cm contains approximately 50 – 125 mg of the drug and this is a single dose. The product must be gently rubbed into the skin. Re-apply no earlier than 4 hours later. The maximum daily dose is 500 mg.

Ibuprofen ointment

Can ibuprofen be used for coronavirus?

In the complex treatment of symptoms in coronavirus, it can be used, the tactics of therapy and dosage will be determined by your doctor.

Side effect

• Ibuprofen may cause allergic reactions: pruritus, urticaria, Quincke’s edema, anaphylactic reactions, incl. anaphylactic shock. In this case, stop taking the drug and consult a doctor.
• On the part of the digestive system, the following side effects may occur: pancreatitis, nausea, vomiting, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, pain in the stomach and abdomen, stomatitis, liver disorders, hepatitis.
• Genitourinary system: polyuria, impaired renal function, renal failure, edema, cystitis, nephrotic syndrome, interstitial nephritis.
• Nervous system and sensory organs: eye irritation and dryness, tinnitus, hallucinations, psychomotor agitation, confusion, headaches, anxiety, irritability.
• Respiratory system: allergic rhinitis, bronchospasm, shortness of breath.
• Cardiovascular system: agranulocytosis, leukopenia, increased heart rate, hypertension, heart failure.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
• Blood clotting disorders, hemophilia.
• Hematopoietic disorders.
• Erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute stage, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Renal or liver failure.
• Severe heart failure.
• The period after coronary artery bypass grafting.
• “Aspirin triad” (aspirin intolerance, nasal polyps and bronchial asthma).
• Diseases of the optic nerve.
• Caution should be observed when taking other NSAIDs.
• Concurrent use of medication and alcoholic beverages is not recommended.

Use in pregnancy and lactation

During pregnancy and lactation, treatment with the drug is contraindicated.

Special instructions

• Ibuprofen is given as a short course of three days. If therapy lasts 10 days or more, then you should seek the advice of a doctor.
• Elderly patients should be closely monitored tolerability of the drug, as they are more likely to experience side effects.
• May temporarily impair female fertility (effect disappears after discontinuation).
• May affect the ability to drive vehicles, so if the patient notes that he is lethargic or drowsy, he should refrain from driving vehicles and other activities that require speed of reaction.

Ibuprofen for children

Interaction with other drugs

Ibuprofen was created back in 1953, and therefore well studied. Briefly here we list its interaction with common drugs – this is mainly a group of cardiovascular drugs, some antibiotics. For a complete list of drug interactions, see the package leaflet.

• Reduces the effect of ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and some diuretics, such as furosemide.
• May increase the effect when taken with anticoagulants.
• Decreased activity of amlodipine.
• Caution should be observed when co-administering warfarin, methotrexate and lithium.
• Interaction noted with cardiac glycosides, quinolone antibiotics, ethanol, barbiturates, rifampicin, phenylbutazone, cyclosporine, mifepristone, tacrolimus, zidovudine, cefoperazone, cefotetan, valproic acid.

Conclusion

• Thus, when choosing Ibuprofen as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent, attention should be paid to the patient’s condition. If the flu, SARS or a cold is accompanied not only by fever, but also by pain in the upper respiratory tract or muscles, it is more profitable to reduce the temperature with ibuprofen, and not with paracetamol.
• In general, the drug is well tolerated, but the patient must be aware of their chronic diseases. The stomach is primarily at risk if there are problems with it, the immune system (allergies), kidneys, liver, heart and blood vessels. The list of drugs constantly taken by the patient is important, since the active substances should not enhance or weaken their effect while taking Ibuprofen.
• A big mistake is made by patients who are treated at home on their own, not taking into account the active substances. In order to speed up the removal of symptoms, they take several types of anti-inflammatory drugs at once. For example, Ibuprofen pills for muscle pain, paracetamol in the powder for fever (Fervex, Theraflu, Antigrippin) and throat lozenges with an anti-inflammatory component (for example, Strepsils Intensive), but in fact you need to choose one thing, thereby avoiding multiple amplification of side effects of different types of NSAIDs.

The most famous trade names of the drug Ibuprofen: Nurofen, Mig, Ibuprofen-Akrikhin, Ibuprofen-Hemofarm, Ibuprofen-Akos, Ibuprofen-Vertex, Ibuprofen-Midisorb, Brufen, Dolgit gel and many others. In combinations: Spazgan Neo, Novigan, Ibufen, Ibuklin, Next.

Ibuprofen: general indications and use in coronavirus

Sources

• Health care in Russia. Statistical collection. // Rosstat // 2017;
• Klipinina NV // Some features of children’s perception and experience of pain: a psychologist’s view // BC // 2007;
• Merskey H., Bogduk N. // Classification of chronic pain: descriptions of chronic pain syndromes and definitions of pain terms (second ed.) // Seattle: IASP Press // 1994.

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