Taking an ibuprofen is one of those simple things for any type of pain, from a headache to muscle overload or menstrual pain. It belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), along with aspirin and naproxen.
And while they're readily available without a prescription and safe, they're not without risk. It's possible to overdo the dose of pain relievers, and you could do so without realizing it.
NSAIDs are found in a number of other over-the-counter products, so if you're taking multiple medications, you could be inadvertently overdosing and risk creating some pretty dangerous side effects.
In fact, take various medications that they (unknowingly) contain the same active ingredients is probably one of the reasons doctors see more hospitalizations for stomach ulcers and GI bleeding in the winter months.
Winter is prime flu season and this year we are also dealing with COVID-19 infections. You can take cold and flu medications to relieve your symptoms without realizing that they tend to be combination medications, meaning they contain a cocktail of active ingredients, some of which are NSAIDs. If you take them along with a pain reliever like ibuprofen, you could double the dose.
And that's not good for your digestive system. The stomach produces substances called prostaglandins that protect you from injury. NSAIDs block prostaglandins and thus reduce the production of these protective substances.
With a lowered barrier, acid, which is normally present in the stomach, can irritate the stomach lining, leading to ulcers and bleeding if taken too much or too often.
How to prevent an ibuprofen overdose?
First, you should read the labels of everything you buy at the pharmacy and then take home. Look for aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. There are plenty of medications that contain them, but also look out for these three over-the-counter medications that may be especially surprising:
- excedrin o Migrax is a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine.
- Aspirin effervescent.
- Aspirin Plus they are powdered aspirin/caffeine (powdered BC) or a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen, caffeine, and potassium.
- Some multi-symptom cold and flu medications or sinus congestion pain relievers; many of them use acetaminophen, but some contain ibuprofen.
For example, let's say you have the flu. You take aspirin to treat a fever, then you take some Alka-Seltzer to treat an upset stomach, and maybe you're already taking regular ibuprofen for back pain as well. That is taking an NSAID on top of an NSAID with an NSAID side.
How to take NSAIDs safely?
It is important to pay attention to the dose and time listed on the package insert, which will keep you in a safe range.
Over-the-counter medications are safe, but that doesn't mean you can take as much as you want. As with any medication, the likelihood of side effects increases with dose, especially NSAIDs.
Read the label. If it says to take two pills in six hours, that's what you should follow. Taking more (say three) or sooner (within three to four hours) will increase the risk of ill health effects.
If you find that the symptoms return sooner, you don't have to suffer. When you reach the maximum dose or the time limit has not yet reached, you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is not an NSAID and is metabolized differently in the body.
Lastly, you should know how many days it is safe to take this without a doctor's supervision. The label will specify it, but it is usually about 10 days. After that time, if you find you still need the medication, talk to your doctor.