Ibruprofen tablets

I've been in a lot of pain following a fall 10 days ago.
I landed on my right bottom, where I have a hip replacement. I can still walk.
I've been taking paracetamol, no improvement. So today I've had 2 ibuprofen, over several hours, and TG it has helped a lot.
I'll keep in mind what others have said about just using them short-term. With food. A very helpful thread for me.

The doctor who writes for the Times said that paracetamol is popular because it has fewer side-effects, but isn't much help in pain relief, while Ibuprofen is more effective but also has more side-effects; so he recommends that hnis patienst take 1 of each tablet together every 4 hours.

Last year, I had a minor knee op for cartilage damage. I have an auto immune condition which prevents me from using NSAIDs. When going through the pre-op paperwork with the anaesthetist, I reminded him that I should not be prescribed NSAIDs for post-op inflammation and pain-relief. He replied that he never prescribes NSAIDs describing them as "the drug of the devil". When I asked him to explain he said they do more harm than good. He only ever prescribes paracetamol (or co-codamol for a limited amount of time if absolutely necessary).

longer than a few days! Not weeks!!!

Back in the winter, when I had a really bad cold that went on and on, I resorted to Ibuprofen for longer than a few weeks. I suddenly realised my usual acid reflux was getting worse than ever. Back to paracetamol after that.

Taking Ibroprofen for a few days seems to be a. standard treatment for painful joint injuries etc. It reduces inflammation as well as pain and can help to settle things down. I don't think short-term use like this causes problems in most people, although it's always best to take the tablets with or after food or a glass of milk.

I take ibuprofen for the pain in my right knee. I take it with food, never on its own. I swear by it. I don't take it daily, only if I know i'm going to have walk more than usual, especially when I go on day trips with our seniors' group.

I'm another who has had stomach and liver damage caused by ibuprofen. In December 2016, my GP thought I could have stomach or liver cancer and I was fast tracked for investigations. After a lot of tests including a gastroscopy, scans and many blood tests the diagnosis was severe gastritis caused by ibuprofen.

I had to stop using it immediately, could not have spicy or acidic foods and no alcohol. I was on both omeprazole, ranitidine and Gaviscon Advanced, to cope with flare ups of severe pain. I can only have paracetamol now.

Fortunately, by following a careful diet, my stomach and liver have recovered a lot and I only need medication if I have an occasional flare up.

Ibuprofen is very dangerous and should not be available over the counter in my view and that of a lot of the medics who have treated me.

I was told by a GP recently that the problem with ibuprofen is evidence that it causes kidney damage when used long term. I was recommended paracetamol instead.

Thanks for all the interesting answers.The main thing coming through is limited use only when necessary, eat before taking and get a stomach protector. When i spoke to my local GP today and informed her of what i had been told at the hospital she immediately prescribe Omeprazole. so i will use wisely and take the stomach protector when using.

I must say, I was one of the unlucky ones that ended up with a bleeding stomach ulcer - the only reason the hospital could come up with was because I had been taking ibuprofen for several weeks for sciatica, even though I only generally took one or two tablets a day!
The thing was, I generally took them on an empty stomach which you must never do !
As your GP has recommended that you take them, you'd assume that was ok, but if you are worried, speak to a pharmacist who will be able to advise you or go back to see your GP.

Diclofenac should also be avoided. It's another NSAID which I took for years for my shoulder pain. I attribute subsequent stomach problems to taking it without also taking a PPI such as omeprazole.

Take them with food and you will be fine for short term use. I was told by a consultant that they prevent bone regrowth so maybe that’s the reason why older women shouldn’t use them too much.

Shy Sal
I could have written that post you submitted, but my problem was Naproxen not ibuprofens.. the doctors had already warned me about those. Not recommended for anyone over 65.
They have not replaced my medication with any other pain relief, and, like you,found that paracetamols are useless in this situation
I am prescribed with Methotrexate and now on blood thinning tablets too so
that makes the choice of pain relief even more limited..

If your medical team come across anything that remotely relieves painful joints, and does not counteract with with all of these wonder drugs that I am forced to take, then I would love to know.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and sometimes Ibuprofen is the only pain relief that works. I used to take it from time to time to manage flare-ups, along with Lansoprazole as a stomach protector. However, the results of my monthly blood tests showed a while ago that my liver function had been affected. I have therefore stopped the Ibu and the abnormality has reversed. I have been advised to take Paracetamol 4 times a day as often as I wish, but it has little effect.
I hope you find satisfactory pain relief.

From time to time I need ibuprofen but take it with omeprozole to protect the stomach.
My gp has said that on a regular basis, small amounts of codeine are better for me.me
Definitely discuss with pharmacist or gp.

It depends on what other medication (if any) you are taking.I am on warfarin so cannot take ibuprofen because it increases the risk of bleeding.For most people I think it is O K for a few days.I think you have to trust your GP.

When I was taking ibuprofen in hospital after an operation they gave me a drug that protects your stomach first. When I came out I went to the doctor and asked him to prescribe something similar whilst I was taking ibuprofen post op. Hope you feel better soon.

It's for three or four days! It won't do any harm in that time. Best not take them for much longer than that. As we get older our stomachs get weaker. But that length of time is fine. Ibuprofen is a very useful drug.

I find that if I take 1x400gm ibuprofen before heading out for a 2-3 mile walk, that it keeps achy leg at bay. GP says I could take 8 paracetamol per day if so required (as we know), but the ibuprofen seems to do the trick and I'm still getting the exercise.

I know a woman who was very ill after having taken Ibuprofen for hip problems. They caused bleeding in her stomach and she was really ill for months after and not the same. They are dangerous ! I told my family never to take them no matter what. Paracetamol by direction only.

If you are otherwise healthy, a few days (with or straight after food) will not hurt. It is taking ibuprofen regularly long term that is harmful.
Speaking to a pharmacist is the best thing to do as corner said.

Short term... if needs must.

My Fibro Consultant told me to take all ibuprofen and give it back to the Pharmacy as it does more harm than good.

However, I have to admit, that there are times when only ibuprofen will hit the spot.

Personally I wouldn’t be concerned about short term use as I find ibuprofen very helpful for chronic pain but we’re all different physiologically and in attitude. Many years ago I was advised to drink milk with ibuprofen and never take on an empty stomach, I still adhere to this. Why not ask a pharmacist for advice?