There are some days when you can't sleep at night due to body aches and headaches, right? You go to bed and toss and turn, but you can't seem to fall asleep. At times like these, some people use a medicine that reduces pain and also helps you sleep. Today we are talking about one such medicine. It contains two ingredients called Diphenhydramine and Ibuprofen . In Sri Lanka, you can sometimes see this medicine under brand names like Advil PM or Motrin PM.
Simply put, what is this medicine?
This is a combination of two types of medicine.
1. Ibuprofen: This is a pain reliever. To be precise, it is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which means it belongs to a class of drugs called Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by reducing pain and swelling in your body.
2. Diphenhydramine: This is an antihistamine. It is usually used for allergies. However, one of the side effects of this is that it causes drowsiness .
So when these two are combined, your pain will be reduced and you will also be able to sleep better. That is why it is popular as a pain reliever for nighttime use.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before taking this medicine, you should definitely inform your doctor if you have any of the following medical conditions. Only then can you accurately determine whether this medicine is right for you or not.
| Disease or condition | Why is it important? |
|---|---|
| Asthma | Some NSAIDs may be contraindicated in asthma patients. |
| Drinking more than 3 glasses of alcohol per day | Increases the risk of stomach bleeding. |
| Glaucoma condition | Diphenhydramine can increase eye pressure. |
| Heart disease or high blood pressure | Ibuprofen can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. |
| Kidney or Liver disease | Since medications are eliminated from the body through these organs, problems can occur if their function is impaired. |
| Stomach ulcers or bleeding | Ibuprofen may cause these conditions to recur or worsen. |
| Difficulty urinating or prostate problems | Diphenhydramine can worsen this condition. |
| Being pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | This medicine can be dangerous during pregnancy, especially in the last months. |
| Allergies to other medications, foods, or dyes | Especially if you are allergic to aspirin or other NSAIDs. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
This medicine is usually taken by mouth. Drink it with a glass of water . Some people may experience stomach upset or heartburn after taking this medicine. If this happens, eat some food before taking this medicine . Do not lie down after taking the medicine. Sit or stand for at least 10 minutes. This will allow the medicine to go into the stomach properly.
Important: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine (Overdose), immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not share this with others. This medicine has been prescribed for you only.
If you give it to children...
Doctors may recommend this medicine for children over the age of 12 in some cases. But there must be special reasons for it. Therefore, do not give this medicine to children without asking the doctor.
If you are over 60 years old...
Older people may experience more severe side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. Therefore, they are usually prescribed a lower dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Other medications you are taking may interact with this medicine and cause problems. So tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
| Do not take this medicine with anything! | |
|---|---|
| Cidofovir | Ketorolac (another strong painkiller) |
| Methotrexate | Pemetrexed |
| These can also cause problems, be careful. | |
| Alcohol | Aspirin and other medicines containing aspirin |
| Blood thinners such as Warfarin | Steroids such as Prednisone and Cortisone |
| Other NSAIDs (e.g. Naproxen) | Other medicines for coughs, colds, and allergies |
| Other sleeping pills | MAOI antidepressants |
What are the things to be careful about when taking medication?
- Do not take other painkillers: While taking this medicine, do not take any other medicine containing Aspirin, Naproxen, or Ibuprofen without your doctor's advice. Doing so can greatly increase the risk of side effects such as stomach ulcers and bleeding.
- Stomach ulcers and bleeding: This medicine can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding without warning . Smoking, drinking alcohol, getting older, and having poor health increase this risk. If you have stomach pain, vomiting blood, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or black, tarry stools, see a doctor right away.
- Heart attack and stroke risk: Continued use of this medication may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. This risk is greater if you already have heart disease.
- Avoid alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. It increases side effects and interferes with the effectiveness of the medication.
- Serious skin reactions: Sometimes, a few weeks after you start using this medicine, serious skin reactions can occur. Tell a doctor right away if you develop a rash with fever, body aches, red or purple blisters, or peeling skin.
- Pregnancy: You should be very careful when taking this medicine if you are pregnant. Taking it especially between the 20th and 30th weeks of pregnancy can harm the unborn baby. It is not advisable to take this medicine after the 30th week of pregnancy.
- Drowsiness: This medicine can make you very sleepy. Therefore , do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires alertness while taking this medicine. If you are an elderly person, be careful as you may feel dizzy and fall when standing up or sitting down suddenly.
Side effects that may occur with this medicine
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Bleeding | Black, tarry stools, vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds, red/dark brown urine, red/purple spots on the skin. |
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Pain or tightness in the chest, shoulder, or arm, nausea, difficulty breathing. |
| Kidney injury | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, and feet. |
| Liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes. |
| Symptoms of a stroke | Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, or walking. |
| Common side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Drowsiness | Constipation |
| Dry mouth | Upset stomach |
| Headache | Confusion |
Take-Home Message
- This medicine is for short-term use to reduce pain and help you sleep. Do not use it continuously without the advice of a doctor.
- It is essential to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and all other medications you are taking.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medicine.
- Since taking the medicine can make you very sleepy, do not drive or do anything that requires attention.
- If you experience stomach pain, black stools, chest pain, or a severe skin reaction, stop taking the medicine immediately and see a doctor.
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