Ibuprofen Eg (Ibuprofen)

• Ibuprofen acts systemically to alleviate pain and inflammation across several common conditions.
• Mild to moderate pain: Provides analgesic relief for everyday aches such as headache, dental pain, or musculoskeletal discomfort.
• Fever: Reduces elevated body temperature associated with infections or inflammatory states.
• Inflammation: Decreases swelling and redness in acute injuries.
• Osteoarthritis: Improves joint comfort and function in degenerative joint disease.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: Helps control pain and swelling during flare‑ups.

• Ibuprofen reversibly inhibits both cyclooxygenase‑1 (COX‑1) and cyclooxygenase‑2 (COX‑2) enzymes, leading to reduced conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. Lower prostaglandin levels diminish peripheral sensitisation of nociceptors, lower fever set‑points in the hypothalamus, and limit inflammatory exudate formation, thereby producing analgesic, antipyretic, and anti‑inflammatory effects.

Adverse reactions may range from mild to severe and should be monitored during therapy.

Common Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal discomfort: nausea, dyspepsia, or abdominal pain.
• Headache: mild to moderate intensity.
• Dizziness or vertigo.
• Skin rash or mild itching.
• Elevated blood pressure in susceptible individuals.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcer perforation.
• Acute renal impairment or failure.
• Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis.
• Hepatotoxicity with marked liver enzyme elevation.
• Thrombocytopenia or other blood dyscrasias.
• Cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction in high‑risk patients.

• Before initiating ibuprofen therapy, consider the following safety measures.
• Assess gastrointestinal risk: review history of ulcers, bleeding disorders, or chronic NSAID use.
• Evaluate renal function: avoid in patients with severe kidney disease or dehydration.
• Monitor cardiovascular status: use cautiously in individuals with hypertension or heart disease.
• Check for drug allergies: discontinue if signs of hypersensitivity appear.
• Store at room temperature below 25°C: keep in the original pack, protect from moisture.

Ibuprofen can affect the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of several medicines.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin): increased bleeding risk.
• Other NSAIDs or aspirin: additive gastrointestinal toxicity.
• Lithium: elevated lithium serum levels.
• Methotrexate: reduced clearance leading to toxicity.
• ACE inhibitors or ARBs: possible reduction in renal function.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

• Diuretics: may enhance renal adverse effects.
• Antihypertensives: potential attenuation of blood‑pressure control.
• SSRIs or SNRIs: modest increase in bleeding tendency.
• Beta‑blockers: possible reduction in antihypertensive efficacy.
• Cyclosporine: increased nephrotoxicity risk.