Ibuprofen: Benefits and Risks

[Topaz]

I'm currently in nursing school, and have started to avoid ibuprofen because of all the side effects I keep reading about ...especially with kidneys.

If you do take it, drink lots of water with it.

[charliefedererer]

Originally Posted by Ramon

Wow! I didn't know Ibuprofen had those kind of risks. It also seems that every other pain killer has risks too.

Any opinions on which pain killers have the least amount of risks and side effects?

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is generally regarded as the pain reliever with the least risk, as long as dosing is strictly adhered to.


Here is what the review article on ibuprofen that rufus_smith says:

"Adverse Reactions

NSAIDs are widely used, frequently taken inappropriately and
potentially dangerously.64 Nevertheless, ibuprofen exhibits few
adverse effects.65
The major adverse reactions include the affects
on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), the kidney and the coagulation
system.66
Based on clinical trial data, serious GIT reactions
prompting withdrawal of treatment because of hematemesis,
peptic ulcer,67 and severe gastric pain or vomiting showed an
incidence of 1.5% with ibuprofen compared to 1% with placebo
and 12.5 % with aspirin.68 Ibuprofen was a potential cause of GI
bleeding,69,70 increasing the risk of gastric ulcers and damage, renal
failure, epistaxis,71-74 apoptosis,75 heart failure, hyperkalaemia,
76 confusion and bronchospasm.77
It has been estimated that 1 in 5 chronic users (lasting over a long period of time) of NSAIDs will develop gastric damage which can be silent.
78
Other adverse effects of ibuprofen have been reported less
frequently. They include thrombocytopenia, rashes, headache,
dizziness, blurred vision and in few cases toxic amblyopia, fluid
retention and edema. Patients who develop ocular disturbances
should discontinue the use of ibuprofen.34
Effects on kidney (asvwith all NSAIDs) include acute renal failure, interstitial nephritis, and nephritic syndrome, but these very rarely occur. 27"
- http://www.omjournal.org/ReviewArtic...ofClinical.pdf

The above review also goes through a long list of medications that ibuprofen had interactions with.



Still to be fair, for someone relatively young and healthy, ibuprofen may be a reasonable medication to take for pain relief.

Severe side effects are much more common in those taking fairly high doses for an extended period of time.

I have to admit that many years ago I was much more likely to take a couple of ibuprofen if I felt sore from tennis or a work out.

I don't think I have taken ibuprofen or any pain medication for at least 5 years. I probably am lucky, but I just don't get that sore, or have much pain.

(1 hour hitting session Firiday; 2 hour hitting session Saturday followed by two sets of doubles; 2 hour hitting session Sunday followed by 4 sets of singles; 3 hour hitting session Monday; squats, deadlifts, bench press yesterday; 1 hour hitting session today + serve practice followed by Thrower's Ten and accessory exercises like bent over rows and lat pull downs.)



I am also willing to bet that for those suffering from acute bouts of pain, or long term painful conditions, that many consider ibuprofen a godsend.

[Cindysphinx]

If Ibuprofen is only a pain reliever and does not decrease the inflammation in joints after injury, could someone explain why my joints feel better *for days* after I ingest 3 tablets of ibuprofen? I do not get this sort of relief from regular painkillers like Tylenol.

I dunno. When I was struggling to regain knee strength many months after meniscus surgery, my OS sent me back to PT but this time put me on an anti-inflammatory also. The anti-inflammatory seemed to control the inflammation just enough for me to get through the exercises without a flare-up. Once I had regained enough strength, the muscles supported the joint better and I didn't need the anti-inflammatory. Today, my knee is 100%.

Just sayin' . . .

[Cindysphinx]

Oh, wow. I think Tylenol is more dangerous than ibuprofen. My husband does pharma work, and he is of the opinion that Tylenol probably couldn't even get approved today because of liver toxicity. Once your liver is fried, you are fried.

[FastFreddy]

When I jacked up my neck my Doc told me to take 1200mg every 4 hrs for 5 days.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Oh, wow. I think Tylenol is more dangerous than ibuprofen. My husband does pharma work, and he is of the opinion that Tylenol probably couldn't even get approved today because of liver toxicity. Once your liver is fried, you are fried.

And once your kidneys are done...you're done as well.

Liver tissue actually can regenerate to a degree. Not so for your kidneys.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by Ramon

I read an interesting article from a tennis newsletter on Ibuprofen:

http://www.active.com/nutrition/Arti...-Vitamin-I.htm

It basically explains that the mechanism that results in an anti-inflammatory effect also inhibits enzymes that promote repair and muscle building. The author recommends taking Ibuprofen for acute pain but not as a regular supplement to avoid soreness after exercise. I recently had an acute shoulder injury, and I found Ibuprofen to be helpful to get me through competitive matches, but I don't plan to take it regularly once it starts to feel better.

Any thoughts?

Studies show that motrin taken for competitive or otherwise exercise reasons for just 3 times a week can have harmful effects. Hypertension and other cardiac issues. Kidney damage is mostly on older people with already existing kidney problems.
Stomach ulcers can happen to anyone who uses it regularly even if it is just once or twice a week. also motrin inhibits healing mechanism after exercise damage.
so no motrin for the purposes of preventing or treating some minor aches and pains after a tough tennis match. Ice pack or 1 hour long Message is better way to go.

[Mick3391]

Originally Posted by Ramon

I read an interesting article from a tennis newsletter on Ibuprofen:

http://www.active.com/nutrition/Arti...-Vitamin-I.htm

It basically explains that the mechanism that results in an anti-inflammatory effect also inhibits enzymes that promote repair and muscle building. The author recommends taking Ibuprofen for acute pain but not as a regular supplement to avoid soreness after exercise. I recently had an acute shoulder injury, and I found Ibuprofen to be helpful to get me through competitive matches, but I don't plan to take it regularly once it starts to feel better.

Any thoughts?

Do something I don't do, REST. If it's "Acute", sanity would say rest, but you like me probably won't, if so just take the Ibuprophen, take Tylenol also, you'll survive.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by Topaz

And once your kidneys are done...you're done as well.

Liver tissue actually can regenerate to a degree. Not so for your kidneys.

I suppose if you decide to take something, you have to pick your poison. Part of the trouble with Tylenol is that it is easy to overdose, and it is easy to forget that you cannot drink alcohol.

***************************

FDA continues to receive reports of severe liver injury associated with the use of products that contain acetaminophen.

Sandra Kweder, M.D., deputy director of FDA's Office of New Drugs, says the agency's most recent action is aimed at making pain medications containing acetaminophen safer for patients to use.

“Overdoses from prescription products containing acetaminophen account for nearly half of all cases of acetaminophen-related liver failure in the U.S., many of which result in liver transplant or death," says Kweder.

Most of the cases of severe liver injury occurred in patients who

took more than the prescribed dose of an acetaminophen-containing product in a 24-hour period
took more than one acetaminophen-containing product at the same time
drank alcohol while taking the drug
“There is no immediate danger to patients who take these combination pain medications and they should continue to take them as directed by their health care provider,” says Kweder. "The risk of liver injury primarily occurs when patients take multiple products containing acetaminophen at one time and exceed the current maximum dose of 4,000 milligrams within a 24-hour period.”

**********************

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Cons.../ucm239747.htm

So if you have a beer after your match and then take a couple of Tylenol when you get home, you could have a problem.

I personally consider ibuprofen safer. YMMV.

[coolblue123]

Originally Posted by charliefedererer

^^^ Glad to hear you got some help from this forum.

Hope that ankle is healed. It sounds like a nasty injury.

Thanks for the wishes. Just got healed. Took 9 monthes and killed my tennis season this year. It sucked goat ashes. But could be worst. Was on a boot for 4 months. I think if I didn't take Ibuprofen and just took fish oil only it may of healed faster.

[TCF]

=================================

[El Diablo]

sphinx
liver damage occurs sometimes when people take enormous overdoses of tylenol. I routinely see people in the hospital who don't get liver damage after taking an entire bottle of 60 pills, so it is not inevitable even in the most extreme circumstances. The medical community generally considers tylenol safer than ibuprofen if both are used sensibly.

[LuckyR]

Ibuprofen, though Over The Counter, has risks as many have posted and should NOT be taken chronically or as many used to do, prophylactically. On the other hand it is not poison and it is perfectly reasonable to take on occasion for moderate aches, often associated with activities like tennis.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by El Diablo

sphinx
liver damage occurs sometimes when people take enormous overdoses of tylenol. I routinely see people in the hospital who don't get liver damage after taking an entire bottle of 60 pills, so it is not inevitable even in the most extreme circumstances. The medical community generally considers tylenol safer than ibuprofen if both are used sensibly.

Well, OK. I'm not a medical professional. But I have heard the opposite. I actually know someone who tried to kill herself by taking a bottle of Tylenol. Didn't work. And her liver is fine.

But there are also reports of people developing liver problems off of unremarkable doses. It's a Russian Roulette thing to some extent. You can't know if you are susceptible to liver damage from Tylenol until it is too late.

Maybe there are idiosyncratic reactions to Ibuprofen also, I don't know but would assume so.

[Topaz]

Ibuprofen toxicity to kidneys is well documented.

And anyone with any kind of gastric disease or complication is immediately contraindicated for ibuprofen (and NSAIDs in general).

We had a patient who took 25 Unisom. She lived. Doesn't mean its a good idea!!!

If you want to avoid Tylenol because you are concerned about what it does to your liver, fine. (do you also not drink alcohol?) But don't embrace ibuprofen thinking it is so much safer than Tylenol. Not quite so.

Ironic that nursing school has made me not want to every take any medications. Ever again!

[Ramon]

Ibuprofen's side-effects sound similar to Aspirin. I don't see as much Aspirin on the drug store shelves as I used to see. Is Aspirin worse?

[5263]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

I suppose if you decide to take something, you have to pick your poison. .

Not really, as Vitalzym is a blend of enzymes (enzymes mentions in OP)
that reduces inflammation in a healthy natural way. I've shared it with several
Players TE and it has always helped with 2-3 days.

Anyone have comments for plain ole asprin?

[ollinger]

^^ Ummm, you may have heard that enzymes are polypeptides (proteins), so that if you swallow them they are simply digested in your stomach into individual amino acids and are not distributed in your body as intact enzymes. Thus a swallowed enzyme cannot possibly have effects elsewhere in your body, such as on muscles or tendons.

[ollinger]

(p.s. -- this is at least the third thread -- healing injuries thread, ibuprofen thread, BP thread -- where you mention this Vitalzym garbage. It is nonsense. If peptides could be swallowed and remain intact, diabetics could merely swallow their insulin instead of having to inject it. I suspect snake oil would be more useful than what you're hawking here.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by Topaz

If you want to avoid Tylenol because you are concerned about what it does to your liver, fine. (do you also not drink alcohol?) But don't embrace ibuprofen thinking it is so much safer than Tylenol. Not quite so.

Ironic that nursing school has made me not want to every take any medications. Ever again!

Heck, yeah I drink alcohol!! If Tylenol were as delicious and mood-altering as alcohol, I would drink that too!

That said, I eschew medications of all kinds. By the time you get to be 50, people have pushed all kinds of drugs on you "for your own good." We are no longer using drugs to treat disease. No, now we take all sorts of pills to deal with "risk factors."

Me, I'm not having it.