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.
Medications like ibuprofen can irritate your stomach lining and cause problems ranging from mild nausea to ulcers. There are also reports that some NSAIDs may increase your risk of developing heart disease. So while occasional use is fine, continued daily use should only be done under your doctor's supervision.
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.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, a person only taking ibuprofen for a few days can take 200–400 milligrams (mg) every 4–6 hours. In these cases, a person should not take more than 1,200 mg per day. Unless a doctor instructs otherwise, a person should not take ibuprofen for longer than 10 days in a row.
Among the risks of chronic or incorrect ibuprofen use are: Ulcers, with an annual incidence of 2 to 4 percent. Worsening kidney function. Cardiovascular issues, such as heart attack, heart failure, stroke and increased blood pressure.
It's recommended to only take OTC ibuprofen for pain for up to 10 days or for fever for up to 3 days. If you notice your pain or fever is getting worse or not going away, you should stop taking ibuprofen and contact your healthcare provider.
Acetaminophen is a safe alternative to NSAIDs for people who are allergic or hypersensitive to ibuprofen or other NSAIDs. In addition, certain supplements can help provide relief from inflammation and pain. Common alternatives to NSAIDs include arnica, curcumin, and bromelain.
Similarly, long-term use of ibuprofen can damage tissue in the liver and the kidneys, as the drug decreases blood flow to the waste-removing organs, adds Dr. Morgan. The risk of kidney damage is greater for folks who already have decreased kidney function or kidney disease.
Drugs that interfere with sleep include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, reduce melatonin production levels in the body, so it is best not to take these right before bedtime. Beta blockers also keep melatonin levels from rising naturally at night.
Acetaminophen is generally a safe option to try first for many types of pain, including chronic pain. Ask your health care provider for guidance about other medications to avoid while taking acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is not as effective as NSAIDs for the treatment of knee and hip pain related to osteoarthritis.
In the lower dose, aspirin doesn't pose the same health risk as full-strength NSAIDs. These medicines are effective at dulling pain, reducing inflammation, and reducing fevers. When used moderately, they are generally considered safe.
That might seem counterintuitive, but studies consistently show that there aren't any benefits of taking over-the-counter painkillers prior to exercise. “Our data indicate that ibuprofen use has no effect on the rating of perceived exertion, race time, or muscle damage, and soreness in triathletes,” explains Nieman.
“Ibuprofen is a non-steroid, anti-inflammatory. In other words, it reduces inflammation and pain in the body, and it can also be used as a fever reducer,” Reeder says.
There was no long-term benefit to taking NSAIDs based on subsequent scans. After four years, cartilage quality and joint inflammation got even worse for people in the NSAID group, according to the preview of the study results.
For pain relief, try acetaminophen (Tylenol, other brands) first. Understand that acetaminophen does not target inflammation, so if your arthritis pain comes with swelling, acetaminophen may not serve your needs completely. Taking too much can damage the liver, so take only what your doctor says is safe.
The main difference between the two medications is that ibuprofen reduces inflammation, whereas paracetamol does not. According to Hamish, there's no advantage in taking ibuprofen or paracetamol brands such as Nurofen or Panadol over the cheaper chemist or supermarket versions.
Load up on anti-inflammatory foods
Eat more fruits and vegetables and foods containing omega-3 fatty acids. Some of the best sources of omega-3s are cold water fish, such as salmon and tuna, and tofu, walnuts, flax seeds and soybeans.
As a general rule, though, Dr. Morgan says most healthy people — those who don't have high blood pressure or gastrointestinal issues — can typically take ibuprofen on a limited basis to address minor aches and pains. “It's not without risk, but you can feel pretty safe taking it for about three days,” she says.
It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine. But do not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like aspirin or naproxen without talking to a pharmacist or doctor. Ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen belong to the same group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Possible warning signs of some serious side effects that can occur during treatment with this medicine may include swelling of the face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs; severe stomach pain, black, tarry stools, and/or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; unusual weight gain; yellow skin or ...
Ibuprofen dose – Take it on time; It is not recommended to use ibuprofen for more than 4-5 consecutive days without medical supervision or your pharmacist. Stick to the maximum dose of 600mg every 8 hours and take only what you need to relieve pain or fever.
How can ibuprofen cause liver damage? Ibuprofen is a safe NSAID, although, in rare instances, it can seriously harm the liver. The drug increases the aminotransferase enzyme (ALT) levels that are released when liver cells die or are damaged. The increase in ALT signifies liver damage or liver disease.
Meloxicam is considered a stronger medicine than ibuprofen. Meloxicam is only available on prescription and ibuprofen is available over the counter as well as on prescription. Meloxicam is a long-acting medicine that only needs to be given once a day.