Ibuprofen for head, tooth, joint and back pain

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which include ibuprofen, began to be manufactured after scientists isolated salicylic acid from willow bark in the early 19th century. Since then, they have firmly taken a place in the treatment of many diseases. Does this drug treat or relieve pain? Its action is aimed at both, since eliminating inflammation leads to relief from pain.

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Indications Ibuprofen for the pain

Ibuprofen is used for acute and chronic diseases for pain relief, suppression of the inflammatory process. For what kind of pain can it be used? The drug is effective:

• from tension headaches and migraines - there are no pain receptors in the nervous tissue of the brain, it occurs as a result of the impact on other areas sensitive to pain: the cranium, nasal sinuses, veins, arteries, muscles, etc.; [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]
• with a hangover and headache - a hangover syndrome with headaches often accompanies the alcohol consumed the day before. This occurs as a result of the body's intoxication with ethanol, which, under the action of enzymes, releases aldehyde, which is toxic to the body, and another component of alcohol - methanol is converted by the liver into formaldehyde and formic acid, toxic substances. These factors, including dehydration, lead to nausea and headaches;
• from toothache - it signals the presence of a pathological process inside the tooth or periodontal tissues, which cannot be eliminated by pain relief alone, but if it is impossible to quickly contact a dentist, it will give the opportunity to temporarily stop it in order to ease the suffering; [ 5 ], [ 6 ]
• during menstruation pain - appears due to hormonal changes, contractions of the uterus, vascular spasms, and sometimes is a consequence of gynecological diseases; [ 7 ], [ 8 ]
• for pain in the joints (leg, knee) - they are provoked by various irritants (inflammation, trauma, toxins, salt crystals) that affect the nerve endings extending from the joint capsule; [ 9 ]
• from back pain - occurs mainly due to problems with the spine, its osteochondrosis, scoliosis. The intervertebral discs wear out, they lose elasticity, strength, hernias occur; [ 10 ]
• in the lower back - can arise both from the spine and from various diseases of the organs inside the pelvis, sending pain impulses to the lumbar region;
• from abdominal pain - if the cause is established and pain relief is not contraindicated. Otherwise, dangerous symptoms of appendicitis or another acute condition requiring immediate surgical intervention may be missed;
• for sore throat - in case of an inflammatory process localized in the tonsils, mucous membrane of the pharynx (laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis); [ 11 ]
• with ear pain - diagnosis of external, middle or internal otitis gives severe pain, high temperature, purulent discharge. Sometimes pain occurs due to lymphadenitis; [ 12 ]
• from stomach pain - as a rule, painful symptoms occur with gastritis, ulcers and other disorders in the organ. Ibuprofen can aggravate the problem, so it is best not to use it; [ 13 ]
• with neck pain - muscle spasms, pinched nerve endings are often the cause. Ibuprofen will help eliminate them;
• in the kidneys - relieves it when stones move, in other cases it can aggravate the problem.

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Release form

There are ibuprofen ointments, gels packed in an aluminum tube, round tablets covered with a pink shell, suspensions and rectal suppositories for children.

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Pharmacodynamics

Ibuprofen is a non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor and is available both by prescription and over-the-counter.[ 17 ]

By inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, which increase the sensitivity of specific pain receptors, ibuprofen reduces pain and has an intense effect on the inflammation site. The drug begins to act half an hour after taking it: the pain is dulled or not felt at all. This lasts for 6 hours.

Pharmacokinetics

After administration, ibuprofen is rapidly absorbed, reaching maximum concentration in the blood after 45 minutes if taken on an empty stomach, and after 1-2 hours during meals. It is completely excreted by the urinary system. [ 18 ]

Dosing and administration

The maximum period of taking ibuprofen should not exceed 5 days. For children aged 6-11 years, the dose of the drug is calculated based on weight: 20-30 mg/kg per day. In tablet form, this is 1 tablet. If necessary, after 6 hours, you can take another one, but no more than 3 pieces.

The syrup is used for children starting from 6 months, and is dosed based on the child’s body weight: 5-10 ml/kg, with a frequency of administration of up to 4 times a day.

Rectal suppositories can be given to 3-month-old babies: 1 piece (60 mg) 3 times a day, after 9 months - 4 times.

Children over 11 years old and adults, if necessary, can take 1-2 tablets at intervals of 4-6 hours. The same is the dosage of ibuprofen for osteochondrosis. It will lower the pain threshold, reduce inflammation.

Ibuprofen in the form of ointment or gel can help to further ease the condition. They are applied in a thin layer to the painful area several times a day.

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Application for children

For children, special forms of ibuprofen are produced, convenient for their use. They can be used from 3-6 months, and tablets from the age of six with a body weight exceeding 20 kg. Ibuprofen has proven to be the most studied non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in the treatment of acute pain in children; in general, it has shown a good safety profile. [ 24 ]

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Use Ibuprofen for the pain during pregnancy

It is believed that the use of NSAIDs in early pregnancy (12 weeks) increases the risk of miscarriage. Episodic treatment with ibuprofen during the first two trimesters is permitted by the instructions, but the decision should be made by the doctor who is monitoring the pregnant woman.

When studying the presence of the drug in breast milk, its concentration was found to be insignificant, so short-term therapy will not have a negative effect on the baby.

Contraindications

Ibuprofen is not prescribed in case of hypersensitivity to its components, blood clotting disorders, severe cardiac, renal, hepatic insufficiency, peptic ulcer, severe intestinal inflammation, in the last trimester of pregnancy.

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Side effects Ibuprofen for the pain

An adverse reaction from the gastrointestinal tract to taking the drug may occur in elderly people and people with chronic digestive diseases in the form of nausea, stomach pain, and sometimes bleeding.

Other side effects included bronchospasm in asthmatics and allergy sufferers, and increased blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Overdose

Taking the drug in amounts many times greater than recommended can cause intoxication of the body, which can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tinnitus, loss of consciousness, gastric bleeding, and seizures. [ 26 ]

These symptoms require medical intervention, and before the ambulance arrives, you need to wash out your stomach and drink activated charcoal. [ 27 ], [ 28 ]

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Interactions with other drugs

Ibuprofen should not be used with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin (side effects increase). Caution is required when using antihypertensive, antiplatelet agents, diuretics, cardiac glycosides, as well as drugs such as lithium, methotrexate, cyclosporine, mifepristone, tacrolimus, zidovudine.

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Storage conditions

Ibuprofen is stored out of reach of children and sunlight. The temperature should not exceed +25ºС.

Shelf life

Tablets and sealed bottle with syrup are stored for 3 years, suppositories - 2 years. After opening, the syrup is suitable for use for another six months.

Analogues

Among the analogues of ibuprofen in pharmacies you can find ibuprom, nurofen, ipren, ibuklin, brufen, dolgit, etc. They have similar effects and similar side effects. Thus, ibuklin is a combination drug, the active ingredients of which are ibuprofen and paracetamol.

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Reviews

Ibuprofen has proven itself in reducing the symptoms of colds, viral infections, they alleviate the condition of pain syndrome, eliminate children's reactions to vaccinations. This opinion is shared by both specialists and people who have resorted to the drug. According to doctors, the drug has undergone enough research to trust it.