Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen Pronunciation: eye byoo PROE fen
Brand Names: Advil, Genpril, Haltran, Ibu, Ibu-Tab, Midol IB, Motrin, Nuprin, Pediacare Fever, Rufen, Saleto-200, . . . more
Important Information Description
Who should not take it?
How should I take it?
What happens if I miss a dose?
What happens if I overdose?
What should I avoid while taking it?
What are the side effects?
What other drugs will affect it?
Where can I get more information?
Brand Names
What is the most important information I should know about ibuprofen?
• Take ibuprofen with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
• Watch for 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 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.
Who should not take ibuprofen?
• Before taking this medication, 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 harm 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.
• Ibuprofen passes into breast milk in very small amounts, however it is not expected to harm a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor before taking ibuprofen if you are breast-feeding.
How should I 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.
What happens if I 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 I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention.
• 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.
What should I 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.
What are the possible side effects of ibuprofen?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ibuprofen and seek medical treatment or call your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your 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 increase the effects of ibuprofen and cause dangerous side effects. Tell your doctor 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 herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about ibuprofen written for health professionals that you may read.
From WebMD