Ibuprofen Users Comment on Side Effects and Usage, page 5

Ibuprofen Feedback

If you use Ibuprofen, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Subj: NECK PAIN?
Date: 10/31/2010
TYLENOL, FOR NECK PAIN? I also use MOTRIN (IBUPROFEN)

GUY

Subj: Over the counter options
Date: 11/22/2010
I am concerned about the long term effects of taking Ibuprofen. I apparently have arthritis and am having a very hard time moving without it. I almost daily take 4 200mg pills all at once. What other over the counter options might I take? I am mostly concerned with the unintended side effects on my kidneys, liver, and stomach.

Steve

AskDocWeb: If you are looking for alternatives then you need to know that Advil®, Motrin IB®, and Nuprin® are brand names for Ibuprofen. The list of other over-the-Counter alternatives is a short one:

  • Acetaminophen (Acephen, Actamin, Feverall, Q-Pap, Tactinal, Tempra, Tylenol, Uniserts, Vitapap)
  • Aspirin (Bayer, Ecotrin)
  • Ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Actron)
  • Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, EC-Naprosyn, Midol Extended Relief, Naprelan, Naprosyn, Naproxen)
  • Excedrin® is a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine

In Russia they are using digestive enzymes as an alternative to NSAIDs. Many studies have shown that digestive enzymes can reduce the pain and inflammation from chronic pain and injuries just as well as Ibuprofen or Tylenol, and without the side effects. Digestive enzymes can also help to repair damaged muscle tissue leading to quicker recovery from injuries and working out.

Subj: Trouble breathing
Date: 11/26/2010
I have been taking Ibuprofen 200mg for about 10 days to relieve an aching back and neck. About 4 days ago I started having trouble breathing properly. Felt like I couldn’t fill my lungs, hungry for air you might call it. Has anyone else experienced this while taking Ibuprofen?

Lynn

AskDocWeb: Yes, the patient information for Ibuprofen lists difficulty breathing under SEVERE side effects and recommends that you seek medical attention right away. Difficulty breathing is almost always a medical emergency (other than feeling slightly winded from normal activity like exercise or climbing stairs.

Subj: Hot flashes
Date: 11/26/2010
While I was reading the post from Sharon about the hot flashes, I realized than that could be the reason of being hot and then when I stop taking ibuproben the hot flashes go away, and another effect is not listed on the side effects ibuprofen cause my blood pressure go up about 10 numbers, from 120/73 went to 130/77, so, I’m going to stop using this drug,

Gena

Subj: Stomach pain
Date: 12/9/2010
Hi, My boyfriend gets severe pain in his stomach several hours after taking ibuprofen. What can he do to ease this? Many thanks,

Abi

AskDocWeb: The product information for Ibuprofen says that it may be taken with food, which will reduce the possibility of stomach pains. Taking it with a full glass of water may also help.

Subj: Severe diarrhea and bloating
Date: 12/10/2010
My 94-yr-old mother has been prescribed 800 mg. of Ibupropen for years for severe arthritis and is now having severe diarrhea and bloating. She has no energy and sleeps a lot. She has developed macular degeneration and some confusion at times. She has had pig-valve replacement to her heart. The only relief she gets is when she takes probiotics but if she forgets even one time the diarrhea and bloating return with a vengeance. I suspected it might have something to do with the Ibuprofen and will try and get her to stop taking it. I am not sure what other treatment she can take for her arthritis because the pain is unbearable. Any ideas? This has been a very informative website. Thank you.

Jill

AskDocWeb: The best ideas are likely to come from her doctor after a discussion about all of her symptoms. Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Subj: Massive heart attack
Date: 12/13/2010
I just left my 69 yr old mother in the CCU ward of the hospital. She had a massive heart attack with black tarry stools- Blood transfusions only to be lost through the stools. Stomach scope coming only after getting heart under control. Found out its the advil she had been taking every night for 2 yrs (400mg)I WENT HOME AND THREW OUT MY ADVIL!!!

Gladys

Subj: Itching and swelling of the lips
Date: 12/19/2010
I have developed itching and swelling of the lips recently to taking Ibuprofen. If I take Benedryl it helps, but what other alternative do I have for pain relief?

Maria

AskDocWeb: Itching and swelling of the lips are symptoms of an allergic reaction and should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible. While an allergic reaction to Ibuprofen is unlikely they do occur.

Subj: Upset tummy and gassy
Date: 1/10/2011
I have been taking 800mg of IB since Nov. 11, 2010 for herniated disk and sciatica nerve. Had surgery. Surgery was a success. No nerve pain. Just the leg aches. At night I take 2 or 3 tablets. About 30 min. later, I have an upset tummy. And I feel itchy. I take Pepto bismo and drink hot sweet tea and eat crackers. I am also on generic form of Prozac. I need some help. It also makes me gassy. Thanks,

Tami

AskDocWeb: The prescribing information says that Ibuprofen may be taken with meals if gastrointestinal complaints result so it may take more than a few crackers to avoid the stomach upset. Please talk to your doctor about how much ibuprofen it is safe for you to take while using Prozac (fluoxetine).

Epidemiological studies have confirmed an association between use of SSRI and the occurrence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The concurrent use of Ibuprofen (and other NSAIDs) or aspirin was found to increase this risk. Preliminary data also suggest that there may be a pharmacodynamic interaction between SSRIs and oral anticoagulants that can cause an increased bleeding diathesis. Any signs of bleeding or other serious side effects should be promptly reported to your physician. There include:

  • pain
  • swelling
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • weakness
  • prolonged bleeding from cuts
  • increased menstrual flow
  • vaginal bleeding
  • nosebleeds
  • bleeding of gums from brushing teeth
  • unusual bleeding
  • unusual bruising
  • red urine
  • brown urine
  • red stools
  • black stools

Bleeding has also been reported when prozac was used with warfarin.

Subj: Extreme hot flashes
Date: 2/9/2011
Yes, yes I am 55 menopausal and been having extreme hot flashes. I usually take ibuprofen about everyday after I go to the gym for aches and pains,, well last couple of days I haven’t taken any ibuprofen and I wasn’t having hot flashes but never put it together till today. I took 3 after shoveling snow and low and behold I started with hot flashes, I would have never put it together till I found this site…There is hope to get rid of these nasty, nasty sweats.. also I usually take a couple before bedtime and have nite sweats all nite, hope I am done.

Merri

Subj: The real story?
Date: 2/9/2011
Every 8 hours is ridiculous. Ibuprofen has a half life of 1.8 to 2 hours. This means that at 2 hours, you have half the concentration in your system, 4 hours 1/4, 8 hours 1/8 th. Get real. I’ve been taking it for 15 years. I pop them like candy. If it doesn’t bother your stommach, you can take 4, 200 mg pills when you wake up, then a pill or 2 every few hours indefinitly. When you sleep, by he time you wake up you have immeasurable blood levels of ibuprofen. If you have no stomach issues, the stuff works great. And it actually DOES something. It’s not just an analgysic(pain med), it actually reduces swelling as an anti- inflamatory. Tell the real story guys.

Steve

AskDocWeb: While it is true that the half-life of this drug ranges from 1.8 to 2 hours, there is more to the story than that. There is no one to one relationship between the amount of drug in the body to the clinical effect it has on the body. The clinical effect of Ibuprofen lasts much longer than the half-life and is also dose-dependent. The larger the dose the longer the effect lasts. The effects of one dose are known to last from 4 to 8 hours. Clinical studies indicate a duration of clinical effect for up to 8 hours for fever and just over 6 hours for pain. There are also medical conditions that alter the length of time that Ibuprofen is effective. For example, the elimination half-life of ibuprofen is significantly prolonged in patients with moderate to severe cirrhosis.

Subj: Half her face is frozen!
Date: 2/21/2011
My sister took 3 dissolvable capsules of Ibuprofen before bed time for her extreme tooth pain and heade-ache, and woke up with half her face numb, swollen, and it doesnt move. She cant taste from half her tongue, nor does she blink well. Half her face is frozen, is this a side effect of Ibuprofen or nerve damage from her tooth pain? She is really worried and doesnt have insurance to meet with a doctor. This has been going on for two days and still hasnt worn off. Is it serious or something that will pass? Thanks.

B

AskDocWeb: The American Stroke Association lists the warning signs of stroke:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

If you think you or someone else may be having a stroke, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. You can expect the person to protest – denial is common but don’t take “no” for an answer. Insist on taking prompt action because every minute counts. The longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the potential for brain damage and disability.

If you’re with someone that you suspect is having a stroke, note the time when symptoms begin because the length of time they have been present may guide treatment decisions. Watch them carefully while waiting for emergency assistance. You may need to:

  • Begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if the person stops breathing
  • Turn the person’s head to the side if vomiting occurs, which can prevent choking
  • Keep the person from eating or drinking

There is an FDA-approved clot-busting medication that may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke IF it given within three hours of the first symptom.

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