Sometimes you may experience a pain that is more severe than your usual headache or body ache. This pain may occur after surgery or due to a medical condition. At times like these, your doctor may prescribe a combination of two drugs called Ibuprofen and Oxycodone. So let's talk about this a little bit today.
What is this combination of medicines? Simply put...
This is actually a combination of two types of medication.
1. Ibuprofen: You probably know this one. This is a drug that reduces pain, swelling, and inflammation in the body. We call this a ``NSAID - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug''.
2. Oxycodone: This is a slightly stronger painkiller. It helps control moderate to severe pain. We call this an `(opioid)` painkiller.
Simply put, these two medications are given together when there is severe pain that is difficult to control with regular painkillers.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before starting this medication, it is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition. If you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell them about it.
Think about it, this is like knowing about potholes and obstacles on the road before you go. Then you can avoid accidents.
- Heart and blood vessel problems: If you have high blood pressure, a heart attack or stroke, heart failure, or have recently had surgery such as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).
- Intestinal and stomach problems: stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, frequent constipation or diarrhea.
- Kidney or liver disease: If these organs are not working properly, problems can occur because the medication is not properly removed from the body.
- Respiratory system problems: If you have asthma or other breathing difficulties.
- Other medical conditions: seizures, brain tumor, head injury, depression, adrenal gland dysfunction.
- Habits and other medications: If you are a heavy drinker, smoke, or have a drug addiction. Also, if you are taking blood thinners, steroids (e.g., prednisone), or have taken a MAOI (a type of medication used to treat mental illness) within the past two weeks.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: This is especially important if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Allergies: If you have any allergies to this medication or any other medication, food, or dye, you must tell us.
How exactly do you use this?
- Take exactly as your doctor tells you: Take the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time. Do not reduce, increase, or take it more frequently.
- Swallow the tablet whole: Do not break, crush, or chew this tablet. Swallow it whole with a glass of water.
- With or without food: This can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset or heartburn, it is best to take it with food.
- For older people: If you are over 65 years of age, your body may respond more strongly to this medicine. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose.
What if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . This is something that should not be delayed.
This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else who is in pain. It is illegal and very dangerous.
Things we need to be careful about when taking this medicine
- Pay attention to pain: If the pain doesn't go away despite taking medication, if it gets worse, or if you experience a new type of pain, tell your doctor.
- Tolerance: When you take this medication for a long time, the dose that worked before may no longer be enough to control your pain. This is called ``Tolerance.'' This is normal. This is not addiction . Addiction is the use of a medication for a purpose other than its intended medical use.
- Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly: Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without consulting your doctor. Doing so may cause discomfort to your body. If you do stop, your doctor will gradually reduce the dose.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. So, until you know how it affects you , do not drive or operate machinery . Do not get up from a sitting position or get out of bed suddenly.
- Avoid alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication. Combining this medication with alcohol can cause dangerous side effects.
- Constipation: There is a high chance of constipation while taking this medicine. If you have difficulty defecating for more than 3 days, talk to your doctor.
- Stomach bleeding: The ibuprofen in this medicine can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding. This can happen without warning . If you have stomach pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or black stools, seek medical advice immediately.
- During pregnancy: Taking this medicine between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Therefore, if you need to take it during this time, it should only be taken under the strict supervision of a doctor. Avoid taking this medicine completely after 30 weeks.
What are the side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are dangerous, some are normal.
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Side effect | Features to watch out for |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Bleeding | Black or bloody stools, dark brown or red urine, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, red spots on the skin. |
| Heart attack or stroke | Chest pain, tightness, difficulty breathing, sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg. |
| Serious skin reactions | Red or purple spots on the skin appear with fever, body aches, which later blister and peel off. |
| Liver or kidney damage | Decreased urine output, dark yellow/brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. |
| Severe drowsiness or difficulty breathing | Unusual drowsiness, very slow breathing, and difficulty waking up. |
Side effects that are common but bothersome and should be reported to your doctor include :
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting
- Fatigue
- Stomach ache
How do you store and dispose of the medicine?
- Keep it safe: This is a powerful medicine, so keep it in a safe place out of reach of children and pets . Protect it from theft, as it can be misused.
- Store at room temperature: Store at normal room temperature (between 15-30 Celsius).
- Disposal: Flush unused, expired pills down the toilet. They can be fatal if ingested by another person, a child, or an animal.
Take-Home Message
- This medicine should only be used under the direction of a doctor . Use it in the dosage and as directed.
- Never share this medicine with anyone else . It is very dangerous.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking the medicine.
- Be aware of dangerous side effects such as severe drowsiness, difficulty breathing, and stomach bleeding. If anything unusual occurs, seek medical advice immediately.
- Keep the medicine locked in a safe place out of the reach of children and others.
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