by D. Vogt

Created on: June 20, 2010

Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug which is commonly available over the counter and without a prescription. Ibuprofen is one of the standard drugs of choice for mild anti-inflammatory relief and is listed by the World Health Organization as an essential drug for basic health care. According to the Mayo Clinic, doctors may sometimes recommend ibuprofen to treat a fever, menstrual cramps in women, and some other conditions.

Note that ibuprofen is the generic name for a drug which is also available as the brand-name drugs Nuprin, Motrin, and Advil, the latter sold by the Wyeth pharmaceutical corporation.

Ibuprofen can cause a number of relatively common and mild side effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, these should subside over time and should be non-serious; hence, if they are particularly serious or persistent, you should discuss them with your doctor. Relatively mild side effects of ibuprofen include ringing (tinnitus) in the ears, depression or other altered moods, constipation or diarrhea, a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and altered sleep patterns.

In addition, there are a number of much less common but more serious side effects of ibuprofen, which indicate a potentially serious reaction to the drug. The National Institutes of Health particularly warns patients against weight gain, fever, classic signs of an allergic reaction (a skin rash or hives, itching, and swelling of the face and extremities), a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), difficulty breathing, fatigue, altered vision, and jaundice. To this list the Mayo Clinic adds cloudy urine, heartburn, nausea, a skin rash, difficulty breathing, bleeding gums, blood in the stool, bad breath, seizures, and chest pain. In all such cases, you need to seek urgent medical attention or immediately call your doctor's office to report the symptoms.

In addition, the National Institutes of Health report that ibuprofen may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. The same organization also reports that ibuprofen can cause ulcers or internal bleeding in the stomach and the intestines, particularly among long-time users of the medication. Heartburn, bloody or black vomit, or black or bloody stool are all warning signs of internal bleeding which need to be checked out by a medical professional.

The information provided here is based on research into primary sources. However, even with non-prescription medication, there is no substitute for professional medical advice from your doctor and your pharmacist, which should always be followed precisely.

- Sources and More Information -

Mayo Clinic. "Ibuprofen (Oral Route)."

National Institutes of Health. "Ibuprofen: MedlinePlus Drug Information."

Patient.co.uk. "Ibuprofen: Medicine."

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