Ibuprofen for Pain Management

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, used to treat mild to moderate pain. Ibuprofen can be purchased over the counter, though is available in prescription-strength forms for more severe pain. Ibuprofen can be used to treat pain caused by conditions such as arthritis and muscle aches and pains.

Ibuprofen works both to reduce swelling associated with inflammatory pain, and to control pain itself. It does this by decreasing the body’s production of certain substances that cause pain and swelling. It also works in the same way to control fever.

Ibuprofen is the generic name for the following medications:

• Advil
• Motrin
• Genpril
• Haltran
• IBU

Ibuprofen combined with hydrocodone goes by the brand name Vicoprofen.

Like many other pain medications, ibuprofen has potential side effects. These include:

• Constipation or diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Ringing ears

Potentially serious side effects of ibuprofen that require immediate medical attention include:

• Hives, blisters or an unexplained rash
• Fever
• Swelling in the extremities or face
• Unexplained weight gain
• Nausea or stomach pain
• Extreme fatigue or confusion
• Flu symptoms
• Painful urination, and/or discolored or cloudy urine

Regular ibuprofen may increase your risk of having a stroke or a heart attack, and should be taken with caution by people with a personal or family history of heart disease. Like other NSAIDs, it can also cause damage to the digestive organs, including stomach ulcers and bleeding.

Ibuprofen use should be closely monitored in people with allergies to other NSAIDs, or those who have any of the following conditions:

• Asthma
• Lupus
• Liver problems
• Kidney disease
• Phenylketonuria (PKU)

It is possible overdose on ibuprofen. Signs of a potential ibuprofen overdose include:

• Rapid, uncontrollable movements of the eyes
• Dizziness
• Slow or difficult breathing, or agonal breathing
• Bluish lips or mouth

If you take ibuprofen and notice any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

_Sources:

_{Medline Plus. Ibuprofen. Accessed 10/18/09. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682159.html}

_{National Institutes of Health. Advil (Ibuprofen) Tablet. Accessed 10/18/09. http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=9966}