Ibuprofen
Complete list of drugs used to
treat arthritis.
Warning Ibuprofen may be sold over the counter but it is a
serious drug that can have serious side effects especially when used over long periods of
time
Ibuprofen is used to relieve the pain, tenderness, inflammation (swelling), and
stiffness caused by arthritis and gout. It also is used to reduce fever and to relieve
headaches, muscle aches, menstrual pain, aches and pains from the common cold, backache,
and pain after surgery or dental work.
If you obtained ibuprofen without a prescription, do not take it for more than 3 days
for fever or 10 days for pain without talking to a doctor.
If you are taking ibuprofen for pain and the painful area becomes red or swollen, call
your doctor.
Precautions before taking Ibuprofen
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin or other
medications for pain or arthritis, or any other drugs
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you
are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin),
aspirin, atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune),
digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics ('water pills'), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), lithium
(Eskalith, Lithobid), medications for arthritis or diabetes, methotrexate, metoprolol
(Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), phenytoin (Dilantin), probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins.
Do not take aspirin or acetaminophen when using ibuprofen unless directed to do so by your
doctor.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, heart, or kidney disease; high
blood pressure; any stomach problems; or any other gastrointestinal disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If
you become pregnant while taking ibuprofen, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking ibuprofen.
- you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate
machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- if you drink 3 or more alcohol drinks every day, ask your doctor if you should take
ibuprofen. You should not drink alcoholic beverages while taking ibuprofen.
Side effects of Ibuprofen
If you obtained ibuprofen without a prescription, do not take it for more than 3 days
for fever or 10 days for pain without talking to a doctor also when taking Ibuprofen over
long periods of time pay close attention to stomach pain or cramps, bloody vomit or black
tarry stools as this can indicate serious stomach or intestinal bleeding.
- headache
- dizziness
- nervousness
- upset stomach
- stomach pain or cramps
- vomiting
- constipation
- diarrhea
- gas
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- bloody vomit
- bloody diarrhea or black, tarry stools
- ringing in the ears
- blurred vision
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- skin rash
- itching
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