Ibuprofeno Generis (Ibuprofen)

Ibuprofen is an NSAID that alleviates pain, fever and inflammation through cyclooxygenase inhibition.

• Pain: Provides symptomatic relief of mild to moderate pain such as headache, dental pain, or musculoskeletal aches.
• Fever: Lowers elevated body temperature associated with infections or inflammatory conditions.
• Inflammation: Reduces swelling and discomfort in conditions like sprains, strains, or soft‑tissue injuries.
• Arthritis: Improves joint pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Ibuprofen exerts its effect by reversibly inhibiting the cyclooxygenase enzymes COX‑1 and COX‑2, which catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. By decreasing prostaglandin synthesis, it reduces peripheral sensitization of nociceptors, lowers the hypothalamic set‑point for temperature, and diminishes inflammatory exudate formation. The inhibition is dose‑dependent and occurs throughout the body, providing systemic analgesic, antipyretic and anti‑inflammatory actions without affecting the central nervous system directly.

Ibuprofen may cause a range of adverse reactions, varying from mild to serious.

Common Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal discomfort: nausea, dyspepsia, heartburn or mild abdominal pain, often relieved by food.
• Headache: mild to moderate throbbing headache occurring after dosing.
• Dizziness: transient light‑headedness or vertigo that usually resolves without treatment.
• Rash: mild skin redness, itching or localized urticaria that typically subsides.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal bleeding: ulceration or hemorrhage of the stomach or intestines, may present with black stools or vomiting blood.
• Renal impairment: reduced kidney function or acute kidney injury, especially in patients with dehydration or pre‑existing renal disease.
• Severe hypersensitivity: anaphylaxis, angioedema, or severe skin reactions such as Stevens‑Johnson syndrome.

When using ibuprofen, several precautions should be observed to minimize risks and ensure safe use.

• Assess renal function: evaluate kidney health before initiating therapy, especially in elderly or dehydrated patients.
• Monitor gastrointestinal risk: avoid use in individuals with active ulcers, bleeding disorders or a history of GI complications.
• Limit duration: use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time to reduce adverse events.
• Avoid concomitant NSAIDs: do not combine with other non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs or aspirin without medical guidance.
• Pregnancy and lactation: consult a healthcare professional before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as safety data are limited.
• Store at ambient temperature: keep below 25 °C in the original packaging, protect from moisture and direct sunlight.

Ibuprofen can interact with several medicines, altering its efficacy or increasing the risk of adverse effects.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• Anticoagulants: may enhance bleeding risk when combined with warfarin, heparin or direct oral anticoagulants.
• High‑dose aspirin: increases gastrointestinal toxicity and may reduce antiplatelet effect.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): heightened risk of upper GI bleeding.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

• ACE inhibitors