Essential Things To Know About Ibuprofen

When you experience fever or pain, the most common pain-killer you can get your hands on is ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is most commonly used for relieving pain from various causes, including dental pain, headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, menstrual cramps, and many others. It also helps reduce fever and gives relief from minor pain caused by flu or a common cold.

There are many drugs with a similar name to ibuprofen, so you should always check the label to see the ingredients list. Other products may have different ingredients meant to serve different purposes, and taking the wrong drug may cause you harm.

What is Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, aspirin, and several others belong to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. If you’re wondering what ibuprofen is used for, it’s most common uses include managing inflammation, fever, and mild to moderate pain in wounds internally or externally.

Prostaglandins are chemical components in the human body that cause inflammation, fever, and pain when released. Ibuprofen successfully decreases the levels of prostaglandins by blocking the enzyme that creates this chemical component. This results in reduced symptoms of fever, inflammation, and pain. Ibuprofen was approved by the FDA in 1974.

This common pain-killer drug has various brand names like Advil, Medipren, Motrin, Nuprin, Caldolor, Neoprofen (ibuprofen lysine), Duexis, and many others.

Ibuprofen Uses

Ibuprofen can be combined with many other products that also have pain-killers, among other ingredients. It is also one of the ingredients in some common flu and cold remedies like Nurofen Flu and Cold.

Ibuprofen comes in various forms like capsules, tablets, and syrups for oral use. Additionally, there are other ibuprofen-based products like mousse, gels, and sprays that you can put directly to the painful spot and rub it into your skin.

You can use this drug with or without food, but doctors recommend using it after a meal. It's much safer because ibuprofen can have a substantial impact on your empty digestive tract. It’s advisable to take it after a meal, or at least after some snacks with a glass of milk or water.

Benefits of Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a fast-acting pain relief drug that will take away most types of mild pain in a 15 to 30-minute period, depending on the severity of the pain. The primary benefit of this drug is its availability in many different forms.

As there are various forms of ibuprofen drugs available, you’ll be able to find one that will have the best and fastest effect on removing the pain you’re feeling. Rubbing ibuprofen gel on the pain source on your back will allow the drug to act more quickly and effectively than it would if you were to swallow a pill. Your skin will absorb the drug much faster than stomach acids can dissolve a pill.

Probably one of the essential ibuprofen benefits is that you can find and buy most forms of the drug on both pharmacies and supermarkets. However, obtaining some specific ibuprofen types is possible with a doctor’s prescription only.

Dosage Information

If you’re wondering how much ibuprofen can you take in a day, talk to your doctor, and he’ll tell you the optimal ibuprofen dosage for your condition. Usually, ibuprofen can be taken in a day more than once, depending on the pain severity. Typical dosage for adults is no more than two 200mg tablets every eight hours. In specific cases, your doctor can prescribe a higher daily dose if needed.

Tablet strengths range from 200mg, 400mg, 600mg, and ibuprofen 800mg, which is the strongest. Strong ibuprofen tablets are used for treating severe conditions, so make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions when using high doses like ibuprofen 800.

In case you missed your dose, make sure to take it as soon as you remember. In case the time for another dose is close, you should skip the missed dose and continue with the next dose. It's essential to know precisely how much ibuprofen you’re allowed to take daily. Never take a double dose to make up for the missed one. 

Side Effects of Ibuprofen

While typical ibuprofen side effects from oral ingestion don’t happen often, sometimes they do occur.. Talk to your pharmacist or your doctor in case you’re experiencing some of the following:

• indigestion
• dizziness
• headaches
• vomiting or nausea

Call your physician immediately if you’re experiencing any of these severe side effects:

• blood in your vomit or black stool (signs of possible bleeding in your stomach)
• peeing blood or not being able to pee at all, and swollen ankles signify possible kidney problems
• severe stomach or chest pain
• asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties 

Before popping an ibuprofen, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor to get all the necessary information about the drug. We at Countrywide Testing provide our clients with some of the best and government-certified drug testing kits. Contact us right now, and place your order.