Ibuprofen is a so-called NSAID (abbreviation for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), a so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Ibuprofen not only has an anti-inflammatory effect, but also has an analgesic and fever-reducing effect. Paracetamol is often preferred to combat pain; it’s the safest way. Paracetamol has the fewest side effects and usually works well, but in some cases an anti-inflammatory painkiller, such as ibuprofen, works better. For example, in case of pain after dental procedures, inflammation (and inflammatory processes of joints) and joint pain.
- What is ibuprofen?
- What is the application?
- When should you not use ibuprofen?
- When should you be extra careful with ibuprofen?
- Which medicines should you avoid taking if you are taking ibuprofen?
- Side effects of ibuprofen
- Blood and lymphatic system
- Nervous system
- Eyes
- Gastrointestinal system
- Liver and bile
- Skin and subcutaneous tissue
- General disorders
- Can you drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen?
- Can you use ibuprofen during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
- What is the dosage?
- Ibuprofen overdose
- Gastric and digestive toxicity
- Renal toxicity
- Central nervous system toxicity
- Other complications and risks
Ibuprofen / Source: Martin Sulman
What is ibuprofen?
The active substance in Ibuprofen is ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is a so-called NSAID, a so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Ibuprofen has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing effect.
What is the application?
Ibuprofen can be used for pain that is also associated with inflammation, such as:
- joint pain;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- Bekhterev’s disease; and
- gout.
Ibuprofen can also be used for:
- migraine;
- headache;
- menstrual complaints, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding;
- arthrosis;
- muscle strain; and
- flu or cold.
Hives on the back / Source: DLdoubleE, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
When should you not use ibuprofen?
Do not use ibuprofen if you:
- are allergic or hypersensitive to ibuprofen or to any of the other components of the tablet, which can be manifested by asthma attacks, a blocked nose or skin rash, which may or may not be accompanied by itching and hives after taking it;
- have a stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer.
- have had stomach bleeding or intestinal bleeding;
- have had a brain haemorrhage;
- have colitis;
- have a serious kidney and/or liver problem;
- are prone to bleeding;
- suffer from severe heart failure.
When should you be extra careful with ibuprofen?
Be extra careful when using ibuprofen if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past. In addition, the elderly should be extra alert, as the elderly are generally more sensitive to the side effects of ibuprofen. Patients with blood clotting disorders should also be careful, as ibuprofen in high doses can inhibit blood clotting. In patients with a poorly functioning liver or kidneys, the doctor will often adjust the dosage. In patients with increased blood pressure and/or Heart disease should also be watched out for, as ibuprofen can retain fluid.
Which medicines should you avoid taking if you are taking ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen interacts with other medications. The medications with which the most significant interactions may occur include:
- Other anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs);
- Certain blood thinners;
- Certain anticoagulant medications;
- Diuretics, medications from the ACE inhibitor group, angiotensin II blockers and aliskiren;
- Beta blockers;
- Certain medications for depression;
- Methotrexate, which is used for inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism or psoriasis, but also for cancer.
- The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine.
Always consult a doctor before using ibuprofen simultaneously with other substances.
Side effects of ibuprofen
Like all medicines, ibuprofen has certain side effects:
Blood and lymphatic system
Very rarely the following side effects occur:
- fluid retention or edema, for example on the ankle and wrists
- bleeding time may be prolonged with regular use of more than 1000 mg ibuprofen per day
Light-headedness due to ibuprofen / Source: Andresr/Shutterstock.com
Nervous system
Sometimes you may experience the following side effects:
- headache
- dizziness or light-headedness
- poor sleep (insomnia)
- tinnitus
- dejection / depression
- psychotic reactions
- confusion
- lethargy
- fear
Red eyes due to ibuprofen / Source: Cessna152/Shutterstock.com
Eyes
The following side effects affecting the eyes sometimes occur with ibuprofen:
- bad sight
- swollen eyes
- sore eyes
- Red eyes
- changes in color vision
- blurred vision
Gastrointestinal system
Ibuprofen often causes the following side effects regarding the gastrointestinal tract:
- stomach complaints
- heartburn or heartburn
- stomach ache
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomit
- flatulence
- constipation
- mild blood loss in the stomach and/or intestines (visible as blood in the stool)
- anemia due to light blood loss
Abdominal pain due to gastric mucosal inflammation / Source: Andrey Popov/Shutterstock.com
Sometimes:
- gastric perforation or intestinal perforation
- stomach bleeding / intestinal bleeding
- black stools or dark-colored stools
- vomiting blood
- worsening of an existing (inflammatory) bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
- inflammation of the stomach lining or gastritis
Very rarely:
- oral mucosal inflammation or stomatitis
Liver and bile
Very rarely you will experience a yellow skin color and yellow eyes (jaundice).
Skin and subcutaneous tissue
Sometimes you get the following side effects from using ibuprofen in relation to the skin:
rash, in the form of:
- watery vesicles
- bumps
- red to purplish spots (point hemorrhages)
- itch
Alcohol and ibuprofen / Source: Istock.com/AndreyPopov
Very rarely:
- hair loss in black women
- spontaneously occurring bruising of the skin or mucous membranes
- skin rash with blistering
- StevensJohnson syndrome
- death of tissue (necrosis)
General disorders
Sometimes you are hypersensitive to ibuprofen. This is manifested by fever, a generally bad feeling and a rash shortly after taking the medicine. Very rarely do you experience menstrual cycle disorders due to ibuprofen. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack or stroke. as well as high blood pressure and impaired heart function, known as heart failure.
Can you drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen?
Is it dangerous or unwise to consume ibuprofen and alcohol together? Like ibuprofen, alcohol irritates the stomach. This can make you more likely to have stomach problems. That is why it is wise to stop drinking alcohol or try drinking alcohol in moderation first. You can then assess for yourself whether this will bother you a lot. Drinking a glass of wine several times a week should not be a problem in itself.
Ibuprofen during pregnancy / Source: Greyerbaby, Pixabay
Can you use ibuprofen during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Ibuprofen should not be used from the seventh month of pregnancy, as from then on the risk of side effects in the baby is too great. Always consult a doctor if you want to use this medication during the first six months of pregnancy or if you want to become pregnant. Using ibuprofen reduces the chance of becoming pregnant. Using ibuprofen increases your risk of miscarriage or congenital defects in the baby. In general, it is recommended to only take this medication during pregnancy if the painkiller paracetamol does not provide sufficient relief. When ibuprofen is used in the normal dosage, you can safely breastfeed. The medicine only passes into breast milk in small amounts.
What is the dosage?
The dosage is determined individually by the doctor. Therefore, always check the pharmacy label (on the packaging) for the correct dosage. For self-care you should look at the package leaflet.
Always read the package leaflet before use!
Ibuprofen overdose
Most ibuprofen overdoses are not life-threatening and less than 1% of ibuprofen overdoses are fatal. There is no specific cutoff dosage or value for when an adult will experience symptoms of overdose. Symptoms of ibuprofen overdose can occur within 4 hours of taking too much of the drug.
Gastric and digestive toxicity
One of the most common side effects of ibuprofen when you take too much is heartburn. When ibuprofen blocks the COX-1 receptors in the stomach, it can disrupt its protective layer. People who take too much ibuprofen may experience side effects ranging from stomach pain to severe bleeding in the digestive tract. The latter can occur within a few hours after an overdose.
Location of the kidneys in the body / Source: Madhero88, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Renal toxicity
Kidney failure can occur in both children and adults who have taken an overdose of ibuprofen. However, it is not common.
Central nervous system toxicity
If people use dosages of more than 400 mg/kg, the central nervous system can shut down. This can cause loss of consciousness and coma. Children may experience seizures and decreased consciousness from an overdose. Some children may even stop breathing.
Other complications and risks
The most common complication of ibuprofen overdoses is metabolic acidosis, a blood pH that is too low (< 7.35) because the body cannot eliminate acidic compounds from its blood and tissues. The body breaks down ibuprofen into acidic compounds. When you overdose on ibuprofen, the acidic compounds build up and can decrease the pH of the blood and body tissues. This makes the body more acidic. An overdose of Ibuprofen can cause sudden kidney failure and seizures, which can affect the production and elimination of acidic compounds.
Metabolic acidosis can cause:
- heart disorders
- changes in blood pressure
- a higher risk of irregular heartbeat
- altered delivery of oxygen through the bloodstream
- damage to the immune system
In case of an overdose of ibuprofen, you should contact a doctor immediately.
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