When we have a headache, body ache, or fever, the first thing we often reach for is a painkiller, right? Ibuprofen is a medicine that many of us use at times like these, and it can be easily purchased from pharmacies. But there are many important things we need to be careful about when using this medicine. It is not just a painkiller. So today, let's talk about this Ibuprofen, everything you need to know.
What is this Ibuprofen?
Simply put, Ibuprofen is a drug used to reduce pain, swelling, and fever. It belongs to a group of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In medical terms, we call these Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or (NSAIDs) .
That means this medicine does several main things:
- Reduces pain: Relieves mild to moderate pain such as headaches, toothaches, muscle aches, and joint pain caused by arthritis.
- Reduces inflammation (swelling): Controls conditions such as swelling and redness caused by an injury or infection in the body.
- Reduces fever: Helps reduce fever by controlling body temperature.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking ibuprofen
Although we often use ibuprofen, it is not very good for people with certain health conditions. Therefore, before you use ibuprofen, if you have any of the conditions below, you should definitely tell your doctor about it.
| Health condition or habit | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, or high blood pressure | Ibuprofen may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. |
| A heart bypass surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft - CABG) performed within 2 weeks | Using ibuprofen after surgery can be very dangerous. |
| Stomach ulcers, gastritis, or intestinal bleeding | Ibuprofen increases the risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding. |
| Kidney or liver disease | These organs are more likely to be damaged by Ibuprofen. |
| Asthma disease | Ibuprofen may worsen the symptoms of some asthma patients. |
| Use of blood-thinning medications (e.g. Warfarin) | The risk of bleeding can be very high. |
| Being pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | Medical advice is essential regarding the use of Ibuprofen during pregnancy (especially the last 3 months) and while breastfeeding. |
| Frequent drinking or smoking | These habits further increase the risk of stomach bleeding when taking Ibuprofen. |
| Allergies to ibuprofen or other NSAIDs such as aspirin or naproxen | There is a risk of a serious allergic reaction. |
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine should be taken by mouth. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. If you experience stomach upset or heartburn, take this medicine with a meal or a glass of milk. This will reduce the effect on the stomach.
Never take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor. Also, you do not need to continue taking this medicine after the pain subsides.
Attention: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine is for you only. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
When given to children and the elderly
If you are giving ibuprofen to children under 12 years of age, there are syrups that are specifically made for this purpose. If you are giving tablets, you should definitely ask a doctor about the appropriate dosage for your child's weight. People over the age of 65 may feel the effects of this medicine more. Therefore, they are usually prescribed a lower dosage.
Other medications that may interact with ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a drug that can interact with other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor if you're taking other medications.
| Drugs that should never be taken with ibuprofen | |
|---|---|
| Ketorolac | This is also an NSAID and can cause serious side effects. |
| Cidofovir, Methotrexate, Pemetrexed | These are medications used to treat cancer and other diseases. Taking them with ibuprofen can cause serious toxicity. |
| Other things that can interact with ibuprofen | |
| Aspirin and other NSAIDs (e.g. Naproxen, Diclofenac) | Increases the risk of stomach bleeding and kidney damage. |
| Warfarin (blood thinner) | The risk of bleeding is greatly increased. |
| Alcohol | Increases the risk of stomach bleeding. |
| Lithium, Diuretics | These medications may affect their effectiveness. |
Potentially serious side effects and risks
Although ibuprofen is generally a safe medication, it can sometimes cause serious side effects. If you experience any of these symptoms , see a doctor immediately.
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Bleeding symptoms | Black tarry stools , brown or bloody vomit, red/brown urine, and red/purple spots on the skin. |
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Chest pain or tightness, difficulty breathing, pain spreading to the shoulders, arms, or jaw. |
| Symptoms of a Stroke | Sudden numbness/weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, severe headache. |
| Symptoms of liver or kidney damage | Pain in the upper right abdomen, yellowing of the eyes/skin, decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles and feet. |
| Serious skin reactions | Skin redness, blistering, peeling (even inside the mouth). |
There are also side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist. They include:
- Headache
- Stomach upset, nausea
- Appetite
Take-Home Message
- Ibuprofen is a good medicine for fever, pain, and swelling, but it should be used with caution.
- If you have conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, stomach ulcers, or asthma, be sure to ask your doctor before taking ibuprofen.
- Never take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor. If you experience stomach upset, take the medicine with food.
- If you experience symptoms such as stomach pain, black stools, or skin rashes, stop taking the medication and see a doctor immediately.
- Pregnant mothers should completely avoid using ibuprofen, especially in the last three months of pregnancy.
- If you have any doubts or questions about this medicine, don't guess. Always ask your doctor for advice.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What disease is Loperamide / Imodium capsules/tablets used for?
This is one of the most successful and popular 'defecation-stopping' drugs in the world! It instantly stops loose/continuous stools in people with acute diarrhea, diarrhea caused by food poisoning, and 'IBS-D' (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
💬 How do I stop diarrhea/flushing instantly after taking this pill (Loperamide)?
Although this is a synthetic opioid, it does not reach the brain (so it does not make you high). Once this drug reaches the intestines, it binds to the mu-opioid receptors in the intestines and 100% slows down the myenteric plexus, which controls the movement of the intestines. When the bowel movement slows down, it absorbs water from the intestines and the stool becomes thicker.
💬 Is this antidiarrheal pill (Imodium) completely safe? What are the fatal risks?
This is very safe if taken in the right dosage. However, some people take a handful of these pills at once to get high! (Loperamide Toxicity / Black Box Warning). Doing so can cause severe changes in the heart's electrical rhythm (Torsades de pointes / QT prolongation), which can lead to a heart attack within minutes and death! Also, if you take this while you have bacteria (e.g., bloody diarrhea/C. diff), there is a high chance that the bacteria will get stuck inside the body and cause the intestines to burst (Toxic megacolon).
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