Side effects of Ibuprofen

Side effects on the gastrointestinal tract

Gastrointestinal bleeding, perforations and ulcers (which can also be fatal) can occur during treatment with ibuprofen and are independent of the duration of therapy, but increase with the dose. Based on the existing side effects, a combination therapy with drugs that protect the stomach lining (e.g. misoprostol or proton pump inhibitors) is recommended if there is an increased basic risk or if parallel medication is taken to reduce gastrointestinal bleeding. This is also strongly recommended to patients in old age.

Side effects on the cardiovascular system

In order to protect yourself from possible cardiovascular side effects such as stroke or heart attack, the maximum amount and maximum duration of treatment should be strictly adhered to and regular consultation with the doctor about taking the pain medication ibuprofen should be made. Also in the case of additional risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels or smoking should be critically evaluated before taking ibuprofen! The side effect of tachycardia has not yet been described in connection with the drug ibuprofen.

Tachycardia, also known medically as tachycardia, is a reaction of the body to situations in which, for various reasons, the oxygen supply is to be increased. However, a side effect associated with ibuprofen is the occurrence of palpitations. Palpitations are described as the feeling that the heart is beating stronger than usual.

The heart muscles contract more strongly during palpitations in order to pump more blood through the body with the same number of beats. This means, however, that the heart does not beat faster, but only stronger. In rare cases, palpitations can occur together with tachycardia because the body sometimes triggers these two reactions synchronously.

However, the side effect of palpitations, and therefore also tachycardia, occurs very rarely. Very rare is a clearly defined term and pharmacologically means that the side effect occurs in less than one in 10,000 people treated. A possible side effect of ibuprofen may be the occurrence of a heart attack.

Again, this is a very rare side effect and occurs in less than one in 10,000 people treated. However, due to the severity and massive consequences of a heart attack, patients with severe heart failure are still advised not to take ibuprofen. Similarly, people who have risk factors for heart attack are not recommended to take ibuprofen.

These risk factors include smoking, obesity, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol levels and a family history of heart disease. Ibuprofen may have an effect on kidney function. The kidneys in turn play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure.

Therefore, taking ibuprofen can cause a drop as well as an increase in blood pressure. In extreme cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs weaken the effect of blood pressure-lowering drugs. If ibuprofen is therefore taken over a longer period of time, for example as part of a rheumatism therapy, the blood pressure should be checked regularly. If necessary, the dose of ibuprofen or of the antihypertensive drug must be adjusted.