Aspirin works in a similar way to ibuprofen. Like ibuprofen, it's good for period pain and migraines. If you have heavy periods, it can make them heavier. It won't do you any harm to use ibuprofen gel at the same time as taking ibuprofen tablets.
But if you're already taking ibuprofen tablets regularly, you won't get any extra benefit from also using the gel. The gel tends to be best for when you have a pain under the skin and in a very small area of your body. If you're taking ibuprofen for a short-lived pain like toothache or period pain , you may only need to take it for a day or two.
You may need to take ibuprofen for longer if you have a long-term health problem, such as rheumatoid arthritis. If you need to take ibuprofen for more than 6 months, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to protect your stomach from any side effects. Taking ibuprofen occasionally for pain relief — for example when you have a headache — is unlikely to affect your fertility.
However, it's best not to take ibuprofen tablets, capsules or syrup if you're trying for a baby. In this case paracetamol is a better option. This is because taking ibuprofen tablets, capsules or syrup in large doses, or for a long time, can affect ovulation. This can make it more difficult for you to get pregnant — but is usually reversible when you stop taking ibuprofen. There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking ibuprofen will reduce fertility in men.
Ibuprofen — by mouth or on your skin — doesn't affect any contraceptives, including the contraceptive pill and emergency contraception. If you still need ibuprofen after taking it for 10 days check with your doctor before continuing.
It's safe to take ibuprofen regularly for many years if your doctor prescribes it, and as long as you do not take more than the recommended dosage. If you need to take ibuprofen by mouth for a long time and you're at risk of getting a stomach ulcer , your doctor may prescribe a medicine to help protect your stomach.
Ibuprofen can cause ulcers in your stomach or gut, especially if you take it by mouth for a long time or in big doses. If you need to take ibuprofen and you're at risk of getting a stomach ulcer , your doctor may prescribe a medicine to help protect your stomach.
If ibuprofen doesn't work, there are other everyday painkillers you can try, such as:. If pharmacy painkillers don't work, your doctor may be able to prescribe a stronger painkiller or recommend another treatment, such as exercise or physiotherapy. Ibuprofen doesn't work for certain types of pain — for example, nerve pain like sciatica.
Your doctor will have to prescribe a different medicine if your pain is related to your nerves. It's usually safe to drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen. But if you're taking ibuprofen by mouth, drinking too much alcohol may irritate your stomach. Try to keep to the recommended guidelines of no more than 14 units of alcohol a week. A standard glass of wine ml is 2 units. A pint of lager or beer is usually 2 to 3 units of alcohol.
It's best to take ibuprofen tablets, capsules or syrup with, or just after, a meal so it doesn't upset your stomach. Do not take it on an empty stomach. Page last reviewed: 7 December Next review due: 7 December Ibuprofen for adults including Nurofen On this page About ibuprofen for adults Key facts Who can and cannot take ibuprofen How to take tablets, capsules and syrup How to use ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray Taking ibuprofen with other painkillers Side effects of tablets, capsules and syrup Side effects of gel, mousse and spray How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.
About ibuprofen for adults Ibuprofen is an everyday painkiller for a range of aches and pains, including back pain, period pain , toothache. NHS coronavirus advice The Commission on Human Medicines has now confirmed that there is no clear evidence that using ibuprofen to treat symptoms such as a high temperature can make coronavirus COVID worse.
Always follow the instructions that come with your medicine. Updated: 16 April Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Ibuprofen takes 20 to 30 minutes to work if you take it by mouth. It takes 1 to 2 days to work if you put it on your skin. Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause pain and swelling in the body.
For strains and sprains, some doctors and pharmacists recommend waiting 48 hours before taking ibuprofen as it may slow down healing. If you're unsure speak to a pharmacist. Ibuprofen is typically used for period pain or toothache. As with other NSAIDS, ibuprofen can cause stomach-related side-effects, so you should speak to your doctor if you tend to have problems such as heartburn or indigestion.
Long-term use of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, can also increase the risk of problems with your heart or circulation — especially if you have other risk factors for these conditions. Therefore you shouldn't take ibuprofen for long-term pain relief without seeing your doctor first, and you shouldn't take ibuprofen if you're also being prescribed another type of NSAID tablet. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data.
Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.
Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Ibuprofen, known under brand names such as Advil and Motrin, is one of several drugs in a family called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs.
Ibuprofen is most commonly used to treat mild to moderate pain, fever, and headaches. It is available over the counter OTC as a tablet, capsule, chewable tablet, and liquid suspension. Some types of ibuprofen are available only by prescription. Take ibuprofen with food or milk to decrease the chance of stomach upset.
Store ibuprofen tablets, capsules, and oral suspension liquid at room temperature, and keep tablets in a dry place. Ibuprofen can be used off-label for certain medical conditions that are not specifically named by the FDA. When taken by mouth, ibuprofen takes about 15 to 30 minutes to kick in and one to two hours to take full effect. You will start to notice decreased pain or fever reduction when ibuprofen begins to work.
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A medical professional can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a medical professional. You may report side effects to the FDA at www. Ibuprofen can cause side effects, most of which are mild. However, some of ibuprofen's side effects can be serious and require medical intervention. Be sure to mention any side effects you experience to your healthcare provider.
Common side effects of ibuprofen can include:. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have serious side effects. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:. Prolonged use of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, may cause elevated blood pressure hypertension and may reduce the effectiveness of some medications used to treat high blood pressure.
NSAIDs also may increase the risk of serious heart-related complications, such as cardiovascular thrombotic clotting events, heart attacks, and strokes. The risk is greater with prolonged use and for those with existing heart disease. People with impaired kidney function, those taking diuretics or angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors , and older adults are at the highest risk.
Ibuprofen may cause other side effects. Call your healthcare provider if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. Doctors prescribe it for a multitude of ailments, using it to treat fever, osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, and even to help close holes in the hearts of premature babies.
It sees day-to-day usage for relief from sports injuries, menstrual cramps, headaches, and inflammation. However, despite its widespread use, ibuprofen has a number of side effects and should not be used by people with a range of medical conditions without checking with their doctor first.
This leads to many people wondering exactly how it works and whether it is the right medication for them. One of the biggest questions is how long does ibuprofen last? This, and other important questions, will be answered below to help you make an informed decision about its use. Its discovery was the result of an effort to find a safer alternative to aspirin.
The medication has since been recognized by the World Health Organization with an entry on their List of Essential Medicines, a guideline for the medications necessary for a country to have a fully functioning healthcare system. These enzymes lead to the production of prostaglandins, compounds which can cause inflammation, pain, and fever. However, as with other NSAIDs, the inhibition of COX-1 can also lead to eventual gastro-intestinal issues, along with the other potential side effects of the drug.
Despite these possible issues, ibuprofen is the most widely used and safest available NSAID, and is especially valued for its fever-reducing and painkilling properties. It can be found in a number of forms, such as pills, capsules, gels, and sprays, and is often combined with other drugs as a part of cold and flu medicines. The effects of a single dose of ibuprofen can be felt for up to four to six hours, depending on your metabolism, the size of the dosage, and the form it was taken in.
The drug remains in your system for around 24 hours, though the effects will be greatly reduced after six hours, which is why it is usually taken in multiple doses over the course of a day. The answer to this question depends on what symptoms you are taking the medicine for and in what form you take it. The most common methods of taking ibuprofen are as a pill, capsule, or syrup. You should start to feel the effects within minutes of swallowing, with the medicine taking between one and two hours to reach its full effect.
From this point, the effects will start to reduce, and after four to six hours they will be much weaker.
0コメント