Don’t go overboard with Ibuprofen!

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are among the best known and used drugs, generally by self medication. Nothing strange, because they are sold without a prescription to soothe pain, reduce inflammation or if we want to treat a fever.

In the case of ibuprofen, it is a anti-inflammatory, a group of drugs that treat joint pain. Those who suffer from osteoarthritis and its pain know it well, although due to age, in general, they have a greater risk of cardiovascular problems.

Know the side effects of ibuprofen

The highest health organizations (FDA, WHO, Public Health Agency) have warned that ibuprofen, like many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a deleterious effect on cardiovascular health: in the case of ibuprofen, they increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction and embolism by more than 30% (according to Danish studies).

Since they are sold without a prescription, they send the dangerous message that they are drugs without side effects, and give a false sense of security.

However, these drugs should be avoided by people with heart problems or risk factors for the heart (and liver, kidney…).

The risks are much higher than originally thought. He heart attackAlthough it is related to the dose, it can occur even in the first week of anti-inflammatories administration.

it was believed that anti-inflammatories were protective of the heart, because children’s aspirin (the best-known anti-inflammatory) has classically been used as a preventive of embolisms and excess blood aggregation.

But the other anti-inflammatories have a double action: one that seems to prevent heart attacks, and another that increases them, this second action prevailing over the first.

This harmful side effect seems to be related to the influence that these drugs have on the platelet aggregationwhich is the initial mechanism of clot formation, thrombosis and embolism.

There is also a second factor, and that is that they stimulate the contraction of the arteriesreducing its caliber and increasing the risk of thrombosis.

Reduce dose safely

According to the Spanish Society of Cardiology, you should not take more than 1,200 milligrams of ibuprofen up to date. The Ministry of Health affirms, however, that the risk begins with 2,400 milligrams/day. As the average dose per capsule in Spain is 600 milligrams, with two a day we already reach the precautionary limit.

In Spain there is the presentation of ibuprofen 400mg, but it is not used. It is not trivial, since it is the presentation most used in the countries around us, where the dose of 600 milligrams is considered a “strong” medication.

Remember that inflammation, and subsequent pain, is a Defense mechanism of the organism. Systematically fighting inflammation is not good for your health: it inhibits the natural healing system and can increase the risk of cardiovascular, immune and degenerative diseases.

exist non-drug anti-inflammatory remedies that can help us: exercise, rehabilitation, massage, acupuncture… They provide notable relief, sometimes insufficient, but that adds to the effect of the drugs.

Take only the necessary drugs, and remove them when better. It is necessary to allow the organism to do an internal cleaning. Always start with the lowest dose, and increase if you do not notice improvement.

In the treatment of children’s fever should be even more prudent. It could be considered in a generic way that ibuprofen should not be used as an antipyretic if the fever does not exceed 38.5 degrees.

Natural alternatives to anti-inflammatories

It is not mandatory to use anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, not without side effects. exist natural alternatives for the treatment of joint pain.

enzymes: the enzymes bromelain and papain are used in the treatment of pain, and are especially effective in sports injuries. 2 tablets are taken 3 times a day.Devil’s Claw: Devil’s claw is taken in capsules or infusion, about 2-3 grams daily and for minimum periods of 15 to 30 days. Its anti-pain and anti-inflammatory action is not immediate.Arnica: It is more effective externally, in creams or scrubs. Arnica tincture diluted to 5% in alcohol is an excellent scrub for the local relief of sore joints.Capsicum: products with capsaicin (hot principle of chilli pepper) relieve herpetic and rheumatic pain (external route). Prolonged use irritates the skin and can cause burns.

Update:

In April 2019, the French Medicines Agency (ANSM) published an alert to doctors and patients about the risks associated with ibuprofen and ketoprofen. According to the French authorities, these analgesics can worsen infections (angina, rhinopharyngitis, otitis, cough, lung infection or chickenpox). For this reason they have requested an investigation on these drugs at a European level.

They have also offered some rules for the safe use of these anti-inflammatories, such as using the minimum effective dose, stopping the treatment as soon as the symptoms disappear, not extending it more than three days in case of fever, nor more than five if there is pain.