Sometimes after an operation, or when we have severe body pain or fever, we have to give an injection in a hospital, right? Ibuprofen is one of the main painkillers that is given like that. Although we have all used this as a pill, it is very important that we are a little more aware of it when it is given as an injection. So today, let's talk about this Ibuprofen injection.
What exactly is Ibuprofen?
Simply put, Ibuprofen is a pain reliever and fever reducer . It can also reduce swelling and inflammation in the body. Medically speaking, it belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs. That means Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. These are a type of medicine that does not contain steroids, but reduces swelling in the body.
This is given as an intravenous injection only in a hospital or clinic. This means it is not a medicine you can take home. Everything happens under the supervision of a doctor or trained nursing staff.
Things you need to tell the doctor before giving this injection
This is very important for your safety. Before deciding to give you an Ibuprofen injection, it is important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Be sure to tell him/her about any of the conditions listed below.
| Disease or condition | What you need to inform |
|---|---|
| Heart disease and blood pressure | If you have had a heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure, or have recently (within 2 weeks) undergone bypass surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft - CABG). |
| Intestinal and stomach problems | If you have previously developed stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, or other stomach/intestinal diseases. |
| Kidney or liver disease | If you have kidney disease or liver disease. |
| Bleeding disorders and blood clotting | If you have a bleeding disorder or are taking medication that prevents/treats blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin). |
| Other diseases and habits | Asthma or other lung diseases, lupus, frequent alcohol consumption, and smoking. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to ibuprofen, aspirin or other NSAIDs, any other medicine, or food. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, this is very important. |
What to do if you overdose?
This is given in a hospital setting, so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you think you have taken too much of this medicine, you should inform the medical staff immediately. Usually, in such a case, you can go to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Medicines that should not be used with ibuprofen and that may cause problems
You should tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and even vitamins, as some medications can interact with ibuprofen.
Medicines that should not be taken with Ibuprofen for any reason:
- Cidofovir
- Ketorolac
- Methotrexate
Taking these with Ibuprofen can cause serious side effects.
The following may interact with ibuprofen, so you should definitely talk to your doctor if you are taking any of these:
- Alcohol
- Aspirin
- Diuretics
- Lithium
- Blood thinners like Warfarin
- Steroids like Prednisolone
- Pemetrexed
Things to consider when taking the medicine
1. Risk of stomach bleeding: This medicine can damage the lining of the stomach, sometimes causing stomach ulcers and bleeding without warning. Smoking, drinking alcohol, getting older, and having poor health can increase this risk. If you have stomach pain, vomit blood (like coffee grounds), or black stools, tell your doctor right away.
2. Heart attack and stroke risk: This medicine does not prevent heart attack or stroke. In fact, long-term use of this medicine, especially if you have heart disease, may slightly increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. If you are taking aspirin to prevent heart attacks, you should talk to your doctor before taking ibuprofen.
3. During pregnancy: If you are pregnant, taking this medicine between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Therefore, if your doctor needs to give you this medicine, he will monitor you carefully. After 30 weeks of pregnancy, this medicine should not be taken at all.
4. Serious skin reactions: Sometimes, even weeks after taking the medicine, serious skin reactions can occur. If you have a fever, body aches, and red or purple spots on your skin that later blister and peel, seek medical advice immediately.
5. Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery after taking this medicine. Especially if you are elderly, do not get up suddenly from a sitting position.
What are the possible side effects of the medicine?
Like any medicine, Ibuprofen can have side effects, but not everyone gets them.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Bleeding | Bloody or tarry stools, vomiting blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, and small red/purple spots on the skin. |
| Heart attack symptoms | Chest, shoulder, arm, or jaw pain/stiffness, nausea, difficulty breathing, feeling cold, fainting. |
| Kidney damage | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark yellow/brown urine. |
| Stroke symptoms | Sudden numbness/weakness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, severe headache. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Common side effects | Headache, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach discomfort. |
Take-Home Message
- Ibuprofen injection is a strong painkiller that is only given in a hospital or clinic, under medical supervision.
- Before you are given this medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- If you experience stomach pain, black stools, severe skin rashes, or allergic symptoms, notify the medical staff immediately.
- Avoid taking other NSAID painkillers such as aspirin and naproxen while taking this medicine.
- It is essential to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
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