Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Recognizing Side Effects of Ibuprofen

Recognizing Side Effects of Ibuprofen

Dec 29, 2011 • By  •
Perhaps, the most popular over the counter medication purchased by people would be pain relievers, and the drug Ibuprofen holds the position of being the one of the popular analgesics in the market. Ibuprofen is being sold under the trade names of Advil, Caldolor, Motrin and Neoprofen. It is classified under NSAIDs or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which means that it does not cause the bothersome side effects of corticosteroids but is able to deliver three major therapeutic effects.

These effects are analgesic, meaning it can alleviate pain and discomfort; antipyretic, which means that the drug can lower body temperature among febrile individuals; and of course, anti-inflammatory effects that controls the inflammatory process. Aside from accessibility and addition of comfort, Ibuprofen is a non narcotic pain relief drug meaning it does not cause addiction and respiratory changes, which is why it is commonly used for different kinds of pain.

Ibuprofen can manage mild to moderate pain due to musculoskeletal conditions, arthritis, post operative pain, menstrual cramping, and non-specific body aches such as headache, toothache, pain in the back and knees. However, despite the wonders produced by this medication, people who are taking it must be well informed about the different Ibuprofen side effects.

The most common area affected by these Ibuprofen side effects would be the gastrointestinal tract since it may cause stomach upset, delayed or inability to completely digest the food, abdominal pain or discomfort, and if not managed early, may lead to ulceration or bleeding in the gut. The less commongastrointestinal Ibuprofen side effects include a feeling of nausea or episodes of vomiting, which may lead to loss of appetite, weakness and easy fatigability. This is the reason why Ibuprofen must be taken during and after eating to minimize the irritating effect of the drug to the stomach. Changes in the bowel movement may it be constipation or diarrhea can also be seen in some people taking the drug – with hydration and sufficient food or fiber intake needed to manage this problem.

Some of the other commonly observed Ibuprofen side effects include dizziness, nervousness and feelings of anxiety, which are addressed by ensuring rest periods and break in between activities. Difficulty of sleeping at night resulting to headache, daytime drowsiness and irritability can also be observed among people taking this pain relief drug, hence, ensuring an environment conducive to sleep and keeping a regular time for resting can remedy this problem.

Serious Ibuprofen side effects are related to prolonged or chronic use of the drug, specifically for more than 10 consecutive days. This may result to increased tendency for bleeding as manifested by epistaxis or bleeding of the nose, unusual bruises and changes in the color of vomitus or stool. NSAIDs tend to interfere with the function of platelets and clotting factors that controls the response of the body to injury and bleeding.

Another serious side effect of chronic Ibuprofen use would be liver damage because this drug is metabolized by the liver. It can be manifested by elevated liver enzymes, yellowing of the eyes and skin; and frequent infection.
In case serious Ibuprofen side effects are noticed, prompt intervention and referral to a health care provider is advised.

About the Author


Junior Thornton

Are you looking for more information regarding Ibuprofen side effects? Visit this Side Effects website for more information! 

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