More serious side effects include ulcers, bleeding or tears in the stomach or intestine, but these are usually linked to taking NSAIDs at high doses (over 1200mg/day) for long periods of time (more than 3 days at a time).
Long term side effects
Ibuprofen can cause ulcers in your stomach or gut, especially if you take it by mouth for a long time or in big doses. If you need to take it for a long time your doctor may also prescribe a medicine to help protect your stomach.
Excessive use of ibuprofen can be harmful. - Do not take Nurofen for more than 3 days at a time without advice from your doctor.
Overuse of ibuprofen can seriously damage your digestive system, interfere with your hormones, and increase your risk of heart attacks and stroke. In some cases, ibuprofen overdose can be deadly.
Don't take more than 1,200 mg of ibuprofen in one day. For OTC ibuprofen, this equates to a maximum of 6 pills per day. Additionally, avoid taking ibuprofen for longer than 10 days, unless directed to do so by your doctor.
The current recommendations for ibuprofen are to limit daily use to no more than 30 days. Dosing can range from 400 mg to 800 mg up to 4 times a day, with a daily maximum of 3200 mg per day. Above this limit, the negative effects of COX inhibition begin to outweigh the desired benefits of decreased discomfort and pain.
Naproxen. Another anti-inflammatory drug, which works much like ibuprofen. Some studies show this may be a better choice than ibuprofen for people at risk for heart disease.
While you can continue taking ibuprofen for a few days, it's not recommended that you take it daily to relieve pain unless your doctor has prescribed it. Medications like ibuprofen can irritate your stomach lining and cause problems ranging from mild nausea to ulcers.
People who take high doses of ibuprofen on a regular basis are three times more likely to experience gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding than those who do not take painkillers.
If you have trouble sleeping with pain, do not take this medication for more than five nights in a row. Talk to your doctor about other treatment options suitable for you if you have sleeplessness as a result of ongoing pain.
Can I take ibuprofen for a long time? If you still need ibuprofen after taking it for 10 days (or for 3 days if you're under 18) check with your doctor before continuing. It's safe to take ibuprofen regularly for many years if your doctor prescribes it, and as long as you do not take more than the recommended dose.
The usual dose for adults is one or two 200mg tablets or capsules 3 times a day. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of up to 600mg to take 4 times a day if needed. This should only happen under supervision of a doctor.
Often, GI bleeding stops on its own. If it doesn't, treatment depends on where the bleed is from. In many cases, medication or a procedure to control the bleeding can be given during some tests.
Internal bleeding – not visible
It is important to remember that an injured person may be bleeding internally even if you can't see any blood. An internal injury can sometimes cause bleeding that remains contained within the body; for example, within the skull or abdominal cavity.
How does ibuprofen work? Ibuprofen works on one of the chemical pathways for pain. It reduces the ability of your body to make prostaglandins — chemicals that promote pain, inflammation and fever. With fewer prostaglandins in your body, fever eases, and pain and inflammation is reduced.
Taking high doses of ibuprofen over long periods of time can increase your risk of: stroke – when the blood supply to the brain is disturbed. heart attacks – when the blood supply to the heart is blocked.
What is the strongest anti-inflammatory medication? Research shows diclofenac is the strongest and most effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine available. 10 Diclofenec is sold under the prescription brand names Cambia, Cataflam, Zipsor, and Zorvolex.
Endorphins are the natural pain killers produced by your body. They work by binding to the opioid receptors in your brain to block the perception of pain.
When used incorrectly, especially chronically, negative effects can include: Diarrhea. Gastrointestinal problems, including bleeding. Heart attack.
Heavy or long-term use of some of these medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and higher dose aspirin, can cause chronic kidney disease known as chronic interstitial nephritis.
Ibuprofen, the main ingredient in Nurofen, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), sometimes called an anti-inflammatory. It helps relieve pain by blocking chemicals called prostaglandins, which are involved in inflammation and pain signalling throughout the body.