Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen has an antiplatelet effect which, if taken in overdose, can cause heart failure and internal bleeding. It is not as dangerous as an aspirin, but has similar effects. Any medicine, especially ones with such high toxic effect on the body, should be carefully administered. Ibuprofen is popularly prescribed for all types of arthritis as it is a great pain killer. Please consume this medicine only after consulting with a doctor.

What is it used for?

• It is primarily used for arthritis and osteoarthritis patients
• It is used for mild pains
• It is used in the primary dysmenorrhoea.
• It has not been tested on children, so please consult a doctor

Some off-label and uncommon uses of Ibuprofen

Acne

It is used as an effective acne cream in Japan because of its anti-inflammatory properties, which are useful for arthritis patients.

Alzheimer's

Even though there is more research required before it will be touted as an Alzheimer's drug, Ibuprofen was shown to have a positive result compared to a placebo in the process of prophylaxis of Alzheimer's disease.

Parkinson's disease

Ibuprofen has shown that small doses can slow down the process of Parkinson's disease. As compared to aspirin, Paracetamol and other NSAIDS had no effects on the disease.

Ibuprofen has the least coincidences of gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of all non-selective NSAIDS, but this is true only in cases of low dosages. Ibuprofen is available over the counter, but should be consumed only after consulting a doctor.

Some side effects

• Nausea
• Dyspepsia
• Gastrointestinal ulceration/bleeding
• Diarrhoea
• Headaches and dizziness
• Hypertension
• Raised liver enzymes
• Epistaxis
• Salt and fluid retention
• Unexplained rashes
• Vomiting and indigestion
• Dry eyes and mouth

Above are the common side-effects, but there are some infrequent ones as well that sometimes increase the chance of some diseases.

• Heart failure
• Hyperkalaemia
• Oesophageal ulceration
• Renal impairment
• Confusion and rashes
• Bronchospasms
• Seizures

Any drug taken un-administered can be fatal, but avoid any sorts of complications by letting your doctor know a few things, like if you have any of the under listed complications.

• A history of stomach bleeding or stomach ulcers
• If you have a heart disease, high or low blood pressure or congestive heart failure
• A history of stroke, heart attack or blood clot problems
• If you have asthma
• If you have liver or kidney disease
• Systematic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
• If you are suffering from Polyps in your nose
• If you are a smoker or an alcoholic
• If you are pregnant please inform your doctor. In the early months it is not harmful to the baby, but it is said that in the last three months it can result in birth defects.
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