The ibuprofen It has become one of the essential drugs for the citizens of our country. In 2018, more than 44.4 million boxes were sold, according to data from IQVIA and, although the sale of Ibuprofen 600 mg is now regulated with medical prescriptions, it is still a anti-inflammatory drug habitual consumption for many people.
Despite being one of the drugs most present in Spanish medicine cabinets, many people can make mistakes when consuming it. And it is that, if the indications marked by the leaflet are not followed, it can present a series of side effects if it is not taken with caution. For example, the overdose threshold for ibuprofen is only 3,000 milligrams, while for paracetamol it is 7,000 milligrams.
These are some of the indications that you must take into account when taking ibuprofen and, especially, this is what you must not do to avoid possible problems derived from a bad consumption according to the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS).
Consume more doses than recommended
Although there are cases in which the ibuprofen dose to be taken may be higher, it is recommended not to exceed the maximum daily dose of 2400 mg in adults and 1600 mg in adolescents 12 to 18 years old.
In the event that this happens, it is best to immediately consult a doctor or pharmacist or the Toxicological Information Service, indicating the medication and the amount ingested, or go to the nearest hospital to find out about the risks.
Take double doses to compensate for forgetfulness
One of the big mistakes that many people make is taking a double dose to make up for doses that they have previously forgotten to take. If you forget to take the corresponding dose, it is best take it as soon as possible. Of course, if the time of the next shot is very close, it will be better skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual time.
Take it on an empty stomach
Ibuprofen is a drug that can be a stomach irritant because of the carboxylic acid, which can irritate the stomach wall and cause gastric ulcers.
Although it can be taken alone, the AEMPS recommends taking it before meals or with milk to reduce the possibility of stomach upset.
Take it during pregnancy or lactation
Ibuprofen is associated with the risk of certain congenital abnormalities or even miscarriages during pregnancy, so its consumption is not recommended during the first and second trimesters, unless strictly necessary. If the pregnant person is in the third trimester of pregnancy, its consumption is absolutely contraindicated and should not be taken.
For its part, consumption is not recommended during lactationespecially over long periods, as small amounts of this medicine can pass into breast milk.
Use it with other medications
Taking ibuprofen at the same time as other medications It can affect you, especially if you do not do it under medical supervision. In this way, there are some medications that have shown certain contraindicated effects if they are mixed with ibuprofen:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin)
Platelet antiaggregants (such as ticlodipine)
Blood-thinning medications (such as aspirin or warfarin)
Lithium
methotrexate
Mifepristona
Digoxin and other cardiotonic glycosides
Hydantoins (such as phenytoin)
Sulfa drugs (such as sulfamethoxazole and co-trimoxazole)
Corticosteroids such as cortisone and prednisolone
diuretics
Pentoxifylline
Probenecid
Quinolone antibiotics (such as norfloxacin)
Sulfinpirazona
Sulfonylureas (such as tolbutamide)
Tacrolimus or cyclosporine
zidovudine
Medications that lower high blood pressure
thrombolytics
Aminoglycoside antibiotics (such as neomycin)
Herbal extracts: from the Ginkgo biloba tree
When not to take ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is contraindicated in certain cases. If you experience any of the following conditions before taking ibuprofen, check with your doctor:
If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to ibuprofen, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
If you have severe liver or kidney disease
If you have had an ulcer or bleeding in the stomach or duodenum or have suffered a perforation of the digestive system
if you vomit blood
If you have black stools or bloody diarrhea
If you have bleeding disorders or blood clotting disorders, you are taking anticoagulants
If you have severe heart failure
If you are in the third trimester of pregnancy