Ibuprofen is commonly used painkiller widely available in the UK to treat period pain, aches and bruising.
It's categorised under a class of drugs which are known as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
But while ibuprofen is used for everyday aches and pains, there are some lesser-known dangers to taking the drug regularly.
The NHS recommends taking one or two tablets (200mg) every four to six hours, “but [patients] shouldn't take more than 1,200mg (6 x 200mg) tablets in the space of 24 hours”.
Experts warn that NSAIDs are known to aggravate stomach issues and may increase the risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
IBS is a painful condition causing symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea or constipation.
Alongside IBS, ibuprofen has been linked to negatively altering a person’s gut microbiome.
Gut health is vital for a number of reasons, including boosting the immune system, absorbing nutrients from foods helping to fuel the body, and even boosting one’s mood.
What happens if you take too much ibuprofen?
One research paper published in 2012 further looked at 287 IBS patients and medicines they were taking which possibly exacerbated their condition.
“Medications that may alter intestinal homeostasis such as NSAID,” noted the research.
Homeostasis is a person’s balance under the interaction between the gastrointestinal tract, nutrition, energy and metabolism.
Another study published in the journal Microbiome found that some common drugs can have a dramatic effect on a person’s gut microbiome.
It concluded that ibuprofen, for example, can actually wipe out a person’s gut bacteria, similar to antibiotics.
Liver and kidney issues
In another study published in the National Library of Medicine, Ibuprofen toxicity symptoms were further explored.
“Ibuprofen is one of the most commonly used and prescribed medications in the world with an overdose of ibuprofen may be self-injurious, suicidal, or accidental,” noted the study.
The research found complications that include both “gastrointestinal problems as well as hepatic and renal damage”.
Hepatic damage refers to liver issues, while renal damage means problems with a person’s kidneys.
It added: "The more serious gastrointestinal effects are not common and include occult blood loss, GI haemorrhage, ulcer, and pancreatitis.
“While some patients experience increases in liver enzymes, hepatic side effects, including cholestasis, jaundice, hepatitis, and hepatic failure, are rare.
“Renal complications include urinary retention/insufficiency, acute renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, and acute tubular necrosis.”
The research added that on very rare occasions, cardiovascular problems such as an elevated blood pressure, nervous system complications including dizziness, or hepatological issues such as platelet dysfunction (which include bleeding disorders or blood clots) were reported.
“NSAIDs have become a very important weapon in the control of inflammation and pain in joint disease, and in other chronic, painful conditions,” says the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.
It adds: “Their use has been limited by their propensity to cause gut symptoms or actually damage the gut.”
Alongside damage to the gut, the site adds blood clotting effects, ulcers and “sometimes life-threatening intestinal bleeding".
The risk is greater in older women, it said.
Taking ibuprofen safely
Irritablebowelsyndrome.net offers tips when taking ibuprofen to help reduce IBS threat.
These include:
- Always take with food
- Stick to an IBS-friendly diet - even more so while on NSAIDs
- Take the minimum of what you need to manage the pain
- Read the label on the bottle of your NSAIDs and be very careful not to exceed the daily dose
- Consider other oral alternatives to NSAIDs
- Consider topical ointments such as certain creams and lotions for pain relief.
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