Side effects | Ibuprofen for root canal inflammation

Side effects

As with most other drugs, the desired effect is very often accompanied by adverse effects. By exerting its effect in the gastrointestinal tract, ibuprofen attacks the production of the mucus layer located there. This layer protects the organ walls from the acidic hydrochloric acid that is formed in the stomach and prevents painful rubbing together.

The consequences are abdominal pain, vomiting, an inflammation of the stomach lining, a stomach ulcer or diarrhea. These are the typical side effects of NSAIDs, also called gastrointestinal complaints. To avoid them, the lowest possible dose for the desired effect should be taken and the duration of intake should be kept to a minimum.

If a high dose is necessary for long-term use, the treating physician usually prescribes additional stomach protection to prevent the side effects. In most cases, a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole or pantoprazole is used. Less common are a perforation of the stomach, dizziness or loss of visual acuity.

One can reduce the rate of side effects by not taking the painkillers on an empty stomach. Ibuprofen should not be used on self-medication if there is liver or kidney damage due to its degradation pathway. Only a doctor has the necessary expertise to assess the risk.

Interactions

Ibuprofen can cause heavy bleeding when taken together with blood thinners, e.g. for the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD). As described above, ibuprofen triggers an inhibition of cyclooxygenase I so that no messenger substance is formed in the blood platelets, the so-called thrombocytes.This messenger is responsible for the aggregation of the thrombocytes. This aggregation of the thrombocytes normally causes hemostasis, e.g. in the case of a cut.

If another blood-thinning medication, such as Marcumar, is taken at the same time as this inhibition, heavy bleeding can quickly occur. However, the bleeding enhancing effect of ibuprofen is decreasing and stops as soon as it is stopped. Paradoxically, if ibuprofen is taken together with aspirin, its desired blood-thinning effect can be reduced.

This is because both drugs compete for the same receptor. Ibuprofen prevails here, while aspirin is broken down by the body. After about 4-6 h, the blood-thinning effect of ibuprofen has ceased.

Aspirin, on the other hand, could cause long-lasting blood thinning when bound to the receptor. If ibuprofen and lithium are taken at the same time (for mental illnesses), lithium excretion may be reduced. This can lead to lithium poisoning. In addition, while taking ibuprofen, care should be taken to avoid alcohol consumption, as otherwise there is a risk of liver damage.