Dealing With Ibuprofen Side Effects

Ibuprofen side effects stop some people using this very popular anti-inflammatory drug.
Most side effects relate to stomach problems.
Now, gel or cream formulations overcome some of these ibuprofen side effects.

Ibuprofen (sometimes called ibuprofin or ibuprophen*) is in the NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) category.
These act upon the hormones that cause swelling and pain.

You take ibuprofen tablets or liquid orally, or rub gel or cream into the skin.

I first took ibuprofen for gout before I knew I had it.
I had tablets prescribed in hospital when I was waiting to be tested and diagnosed.
Nurses warned me that it might upset my stomach, but I was fine.
You might need to take tablets or liquid with milk or food to reduce the chance of stomach upset.

Now that gel is available, you can reduce the risk of stomach related ibuprofen side effects. You apply the gel around the area of swelling and gently massage it into the skin. Note that you absorb ibuprofen into the blood stream, so skin application does not reduce the risk of other ibuprofen side effects (allergy or kidney problems). The good news is you can usually gain relief with a smaller dosage when it is applied to the affected area.

In tablet form, you normally take 200 to 400 mg up to 4 times a day. You leave a minimum 4 hours between doses and a maximum daily dose of 1200 mg. You can take a higher dosage under medical supervision.

Dosage of gel and cream depends on strength. Normal strength is 5%. Some extra strength gels are 10%. Therefore, to apply a 200mg dose you need 4 grams of normal strength gel or cream. It's quite difficult to judge that amount. It means that a 50g tube supplies about 12 doses. I prefer the tablets due to cost.

I've heard that making your own cream is quite easy. Crush a 200 mg tablet and dissolve it in lemon or grapefruit juice. Then mix the dissolved ibuprofen with an ordinary cream (or even one containing a mild anesthetic such as lindocaine). Gently massage this into the affected area. Apparently it works better than a 200 mg tablet. I haven't tried this because I don't suffer any ibuprofen side-effects. If you try it, please let me know how you got on.

Over-the-counter medicines can contain similar anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g. ketoprofen, aspirin.
Do not take any other medication alongside ibuprofen without consulting your doctor.
Never exceed the prescribed dosage.
Always wait the prescribed time before taking your next dose.
If you think you have overdosed, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.
Symptoms of overdose include any of the following:

Blurred vision
Breathing
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Headache
Nausea
Ringing in the ears
Seizures
Stomach pain
Sweating
Tingling or numbness
Urine much reduced or stopped
Vomiting

Side Effects

Not everybody suffers ibuprofen side effects. The most common problem is stomach upset, but more serious stomach problems can occur. As with all treatments, you must decide what is best for you in your particular circumstances. You must discuss side-effects fully with your doctor before you start to take any drug and whenever you experience any adverse effects.

Minor side effects that may go away

You only need consult your doctor if these become severe or prolonged

Constipation
Depression
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Headache
Stomach pain
Unusual hair loss
Nausea, unless with skin rash - this is serious - see below
Vomiting

Serious side effects

You must stop taking ibuprofen and consult your doctor if you have any of the following

Aching or painful muscles
Blood in stools or black, tarry stools
Blood in vomit
Breathing troubled or short
Bruising or bleeding without obvious cause
Chest tight or wheezing
Eyes yellow
Hands or feet numb, tingling, painful or weak
Hearing diminished or ringing in ears
Hives
Itching
Lethargy (tiredness or weakness without obvious cause)
Mouth ulcers
Rash, especially with vomiting or nausea
Skin yellow
Swelling of hands, feet, lower legs or ankles
Tarry, black stools
Urine suddenly decreases in amount

Ibuprofen and Gout Pain

Ibuprofen acts on bodies reaction to uric acid deposits

Ibuprofen works by controlling the bodies reaction to uric acid deposits in the joints. It reduces pain, but does nothing to help reduce those deposits. See the Reaction part of U-D-R-P for more information.

I use ibuprofen when I get a gout attack. It does nothing to help manage uric acid, but it does help me stay mobile. Whenever gout flares, it is important to manage the immediate pain without making long term uric acid management more difficult. I take it so I can get mobile as soon as possible, because the pain seems to last longer if I stay still. I've found that a combination of light exercise and periods of rest with the affected joint elevated works for me. I.e. take ibuprofen, rest for 20 to 30 minutes to let it take effect. Then keep moving.

Under medical supervision, I have alternated ibuprofen with paracetamol. Paracetamol has no anti-inflammatory effect. It is one of the few medical pain relief treatments used with anti-inflammatories. Never mix medications unless you have the express agreement of a qualified medical practitioner.

It is also important to keep the affected area warm. Ice pack therapy is good, but prolonged cold will make the pain worse.

Distraction is a well recognized therapy for intense pain and it doesn't make ibuprofen side effects any worse. Take ibuprofen, go for a walk and sing the Gout Pal song . And keep drinking water - apparently the brain ignores pain while you urinate.

* ibuprofin / ibuprophen
Ibuprofen is sometimes called ibuprofin or ibuprophen. Whenever I refer to ibuprofen or ibuprofen side effects I am also referring to ibuprofin and ibuprophen.

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