Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or analgesic, that is, a drug with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Certain diseases are no longer a protective or warning function of pain and inflammation. In such cases the use of painkillers, e.g. with the active ingredient ibuprofen, makes sense.

Medical effect & application

Pain and inflammation are extremely unpleasant, but they also have protective and warning functions, which under certain circumstances can be of vital importance. The messenger substances (prostaglandins) released in the process transmit pain signals to the brain or activate immune cells, thereby combating invading pathogens.

Ibuprofen is used for the symptomatic treatment of pain, fever and inflammation, acute joint inflammation (arthritis) including gout attacks as well as chronic joint inflammation, especially rheumatoid arthritis and chronic polyarthritis, irritation in osteoarthritis and spondyloarthrosis (degenerative joint diseases and spinal column diseases, e.g. inflammatory rheumatic diseases) Bechterew's disease, inflammatory diseases in soft tissue rheumatism and painful injury-related inflammation and swelling.

Ibuprofen is available on the market in various dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, granules, children's juices, suppositories and ointments. The active ingredient ibuprofen is subject to pharmacy requirements and can be purchased without a prescription up to a certain dosage in pharmacies. Preparations with a higher active ingredient content of ibuprofen, e.g. for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, require a doctor's prescription.

Interactions

When taking Ibuprofen and other drugs, particular care may be required, in particular ibuprofen can either increase or decrease the effect of other drugs. A combination with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesics should be avoided. With the simultaneous administration of ibuprofen and oral corticosteroids, anti-coagulant drugs, e.g. Marcumar, SSRIs (used to treat depression) or antiplatelet drugs, e.g. ASA, there is a risk of bleeding or ulceration in the gastrointestinal tract.

If these factors occur, ibuprofen therapy should be stopped immediately. The habitual use of ibuprofen and pain relievers in general, especially a combination of preparations with various pain relievers, can lead to permanent kidney damage and kidney failure.

Ibuprofen must not be taken if you have an allergy to the active ingredient or any other component of ibuprofen, if you have suffered asthma attacks in the past, nasal mucous membrane swelling or allergic skin reactions after use, if you have certain blood formation disorders, cerebral haemorrhage, gastric or duodenal ulcers or bleeding, stomach - Intestinal bleeding or gastric perforation in the past while taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with severe kidney or liver dysfunction, severe heart muscle weakness, in the last trimester of an existing pregnancy, while breastfeeding and in children and adolescents under 15 years of age.

Treatment with ibuprofen in patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smokers and the elderly should be given under medical supervision in justified cases. Ibuprofen can only be used in certain autoimmune diseases, such as e.g. Lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease, or some congenital blood disorders such as acute intermittent porphyria.

After major operations, with known allergies, e.g. previous skin reactions to other drugs, hay fever, chronic swelling of the nasal mucous membrane, bronchial asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, impaired liver or kidney function and the use of ibuprofen require special medical attention.

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Risks & side effects

Taking Ibuprofen headache, dizziness, nervousness, stomach pain, gastric mucosal bleeding, gastrointestinal ulcers, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. In particular, the use of ibuprofen in suppository form can lead to irritation of the mucous membranes, painful bowel movements and bloody mucus secretions.

If severe allergic reactions occur, such as rashes, reddening and itching of the skin, mucosal lesions or rare severe hypersensitivity reactions, such as shortness of breath or cardiovascular failure and shock, the treatment with ibuprofen must be stopped immediately and the attending physician must be informed immediately who will initiate appropriate medical measures.

Higher doses of ibuprofen in particular can cause central nervous disorders with tiredness, irritability and dizziness. In individual cases, the ability to react is changed so much that active participation in road traffic and the ability to work on and with machines are impaired. This is especially true when consuming alcohol at the same time. Alcohol should generally be avoided during treatment with ibuprofen, as this can lead to unpredictable interactions.

The risks and side effects mentioned can, but need not, occur in every patient. If ibuprofen is taken for a long time, regular medical checks of the blood count, kidney function and liver values ​​are required. In the elderly in particular, medical supervision and, if necessary, dose adjustment of ibuprofen are necessary due to the more frequent occurrence of side effects.