Side effects
The most common side effects of Nurofen® are gastrointestinal complaints (abdominal pain, heartburn, constipation, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence) and slight bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. The development of a gastrointestinal ulcer is also one of the undesirable side effects of Nurofen®. This complication depends on the dose and duration of use and is more common in older patients.
Other side effects of Nurofen® are inflammatory mouth ulcers, relapsing episodes of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease), dizziness, irritability or fatigue. Occasionally, Nurofen® can cause water retention in the tissue (edema), especially in patients with kidney dysfunction or high blood pressure. Skin rashes, itching, asthma attacks and kidney dysfunction are also occasionally observed.
Prolonged use of Nurofen® may cause headache (so-called analgesic-induced headache), which should not be treated by even higher doses of the drug. The influence of Nurofen® on blood clotting is weaker than that of acetylsalicylic acid, but the risk of post-operative bleeding may increase if Nurofen® is taken. Very rarely a blood formation disorder (agranulocytosis) occurs, which can be manifested by fever, sore throat, flu-like symptoms, skin and nose bleeding. If such symptoms occur, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
When should Nurofen® not be used?
Nurofen® must not be used in cases of haematopoiesis, gastrointestinal ulcers, bleeding in the brain or other parts of the body, severe heart failure or severe liver or kidney dysfunction. It is therefore not advisable to take any other kidney-damaging drugs such as ACE inhibitors, ciclospoprine A or tacrolimus at the same time. The simultaneous use of Nurofen® with drugs that also act on blood clotting (anticoagulants) can increase the risk of bleeding.
Nurofen® may reduce the anticoagulant effect of acetylsalicylic acid (as the mechanisms of action are different). Drugs containing lithium should not be combined with Nurofen® as lithium poisoning (intoxication) may occur. If severe hypersensitivity reactions occur while taking Nurofen® (or with similarly acting agents, e.g. acetylsalicylic acid) such as swelling of the face or tongue, shortness of breath, heart chasing, drop in blood pressure, itching and reddening of the eyes, narrowing of the airways (asthma) or in rare cases allergic shock with unconsciousness, a doctor should be consulted immediately and the drug should not be used anymore.When taking antidiabetics, blood sugar levels should be monitored particularly carefully and the antidiabetic dosage adjusted if necessary, as Nurofen® also affects blood sugar levels.
Taking Nurofen® can impair the ability to react so severely that driving a car or operating machinery can be dangerous. This is particularly true in combination with alcohol. People suffering from nasal polyps, hay fever, chronic respiratory tract constriction or a tendency to allergies may only use Nurofen® under certain precautions and under direct medical supervision.
