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What is ibuprofen
 Ibuprofen
is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that
cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Ibuprofen
is used to reduce the fever, pain, inflammation, and stiffness
caused by many conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis, and abdominal cramps associated with menstruation.
Ibuprofen
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about ibuprofen
Take ibuprofen with food, milk, or an antacid to
lessen stomach upset.
Contact your doctor if you
experience bloody, black, or tarry stools or blood in the
vomit. These symptoms could indicate damage to the gastrointestinal
tract.
If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages
a day, ibuprofen may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
What you should find out before taking ibuprofen Before taking ibuprofen, tell your doctor if you
- have an allergy to aspirin or any other NSAIDs,
- have an ulcer or bleeding in the stomach,
-
drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day,
-
have liver or kidney disease,
- have a coagulation
(bleeding or blood clotting) disorder,
- have congestive
heart failure,
- have fluid retention,
- have
heart disease, or
- have high blood pressure.
You may not be able to take ibuprofen, or you may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment
if you have any of the conditions listed above.
It
is not known whether ibuprofen will be harmful to an unborn
baby. Ibuprofen should not be taken late in pregnancy (the
third trimester) because a similar drug is known to affect
the baby's heart. Do not take ibuprofen without first talking
to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant
during treatment.
Ibuprofen passes into breast milk
in very small amounts, however it is not expected to be
harmful to a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor before taking
ibuprofen if you are breast-feeding.
How should take ibuprofen Take ibuprofen exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Take ibuprofen with
food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
Store ibuprofen at room temperature away from moisture and
heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember up to
2 hours late. If more than 2 hours have passed since the
missed dose, skip it and take only the next regularly scheduled
dose. Do not take a double dose.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected.
Symptoms of a ibuprofen overdose include
nausea, vomiting or stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness,
headache, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, seizures,
sweating, numbness or tingling, little or no urine production,
and slow breathing.
Avoid while taking ibuprofen Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Ibuprofen may
increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a
sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to
the sun is unavoidable.
If you drink more than three
alcoholic beverages a day, ibuprofen may increase the risk
of stomach bleeding.
Possible side effects of ibuprofen If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking ibuprofen and seek medical treatment
or contact your doctor immediately:
- an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- muscle
cramps, numbness, or tingling;
- ulcers (open sores)
in the mouth;
- rapid weight gain (fluid retention);
- seizures;
- black, bloody, or tarry stools;
- blood in your urine or vomit;
- decreased
hearing or ringing in the ears;
- jaundice (yellowing
of the skin or eyes); or
- abdominal cramping, indigestion,
or heartburn.
Other, less serious side effects may
be more likely to occur. Continue to take ibuprofen and
talk to your doctor if you experience
- dizziness
or headache;
- nausea, gaseousness, diarrhea, or
constipation;
- depression;
- fatigue or weakness;
- dry mouth; or
- irregular menstrual periods.
Side effects other than those listed here may also
occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems
unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect ibuprofen Other prescription and over-the-counter drugs may
interact with ibuprofen. Talk to your doctor before taking
ibuprofen if you are taking any of the following drugs:
- another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
such as ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen
(Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam),
etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid),
indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone
(Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac
(Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin);
- aspirin or
another salicylate (form of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid),
choline salicylate, and magnesium salicylate;
- a
diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ,
HydroDiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone
(Thalitone), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin),
furosemide (Lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone), and amiloride
(Midamor);
- an anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin);
- a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone);
-
an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol)
or glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta); or
- lithium (Eskalith,
Lithobid, others).
Talk to your doctor before taking
ibuprofen if you are taking any other medicines, especially
any of the ones listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with ibuprofen.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals,
and herbal products. |
