How Much Advil For Back Pain

What Drugs And Food Should I Avoid While Taking Ibuprofen

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may contain ingredients similar to ibuprofen .

Avoid taking aspirin unless your doctor tells you to.

If you also take aspirin to prevent stroke or heart attack, taking ibuprofen can make aspirin less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels. If you take both medicines, take ibuprofen at least 8 hours before or 30 minutes after you take aspirin .

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Are Aleve And Ibuprofen The Same Thing

Naproxen and ibuprofen are both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and they work in the same way by blocking COX-2 enzymes and COX-1 enzymes. However, they have different onset times and durations. Naproxen is a long-acting drug, meaning it takes longer to start relieving your pain, but it lasts longer too. Ibuprofen is short-acting, so it starts working more quickly but needs to be taken more frequently.

Are There Any Other Precautions Or Warnings For This Medication

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take this medication.

Don’t Miss: How To Ease My Back Pain

When You Take Ibuprofen Every Day This Is What Happens To Your Body

Ibuprofen is one of the most common medications on the market. In fact, chances are you have a bottle or two of ibuprofen in your medicine cabinet right now. The painkiller and anti-inflammatory is sold under a variety of brand names including Advil and Motrin, and is widely used for a variety of ailments. Whether you have a headache or a fever, ibuprofen tends to be the go-to for people looking to be pain- and fever-free.

According to WebMD, ibuprofen is classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug more commonly known as an NSAID. NSAIDs work by stopping your body from producing substances that cause inflammation, which subsequently causes pain, swelling, and fever to dissipate. Since most forms of ibuprofen can be purchased over the counter without a prescription, the medicine is largely believed to be safe. However, ibuprofen doesn’t come without its risks some of which can be life-threatening when not treated.

As it turns out, there are more than a few ways in which your body can react negatively to ibuprofen, especially if you take too much of it on a daily basis. Here’s what happens to your body when you take ibuprofen every day.

Can I Take Them At The Same Time

You can take ibuprofen and acetaminophen at the same time. Just make sure to not take more than the recommended dose.

Some people experience some stomach or abdominal pain when taking the two medications together. In this case, its better to alternate when you take each medication.

For example, you could take ibuprofen first, followed by acetaminophen four hours later, and then repeat this process as needed.

You could also alternate days. For example, if you take ibuprofen on Monday, take acetaminophen on Tuesday and so on.

Read Also: Who Should I See For Lower Back Pain

About Ibuprofen For Adults

Ibuprofen is an everyday painkiller for a range of aches and pains, including back pain, period pain, toothache. It also treats inflammation such as strains and sprains, and pain from arthritis.

It’s available as tablets and capsules, and as a syrup that you swallow. It also comes as a gel, mousse and spray that you rub into your skin.

Ibuprofen is combined with other painkillers in some products. It’s an ingredient in some cold and flu remedies, such as Nurofen Cold and Flu.

You can buy most types of ibuprofen from pharmacies and supermarkets. Some types are only available on prescription.

For under-17s, read our information on ibuprofen for children

What’s The Difference Between Tylenol Advil And Aspirin Which Is The Best To Take For Pain

I used to take acetaminophen for the occasional headache or sore muscle, mostly because that’s what we used in my house growing up. I didn’t think much about whether it was more or less effective than any other type of over-the-counter pain reliever, and I suspect the same is true for many folks. Acetaminophen, after all, is the most popular over-the-counter painkiller worldwide.

So I was surprised when I found out there’s a huge gap between how pain researchers think about this drug and how the public does. More specifically, every researcher I contacted for this piece said some variation of what Andrew Moore, a pain researcher at Oxford University, told me: Tylenol doesn’t actually work that well for pain. To be more exact, he said, “I can’t imagine why anybody would take acetaminophen.”

Moore has done a number of systematic reviews on over-the-counter pain medications, looking at all the available evidence to figure out which ones work best for various problems. I asked him to describe the overall success rates for the most common three: acetaminophen , ibuprofen , and aspirin.

Now, Moore was referring here to acute pain that strikes after a specific event, like a surgery, a cut, or a burn, but his message was simple: Ibuprofen seems to work best, followed by acetaminophen, and then aspirin.

For ongoing pain a sore lower back, say, or the kind of degenerative arthritis that typically develops with age ibuprofen still outperforms acetaminophen.

Read Also: What Is Better For Back Pain Ibuprofen Or Acetaminophen

Is Acetaminophen Good For Anything

If the research community seems to have sided with ibuprofen for pain, is acetaminophen good for anything?Yes. There are some groups of people with health complications who shouldn’t take ibuprofen. For example, patients with kidney, gastric, cardiovascular, or bleeding problems may need to avoid NSAIDS like ibuprofen, so doctors might suggest Tylenol in these cases. There’s also some evidence that NSAIDS may increase the risk of psychosis and cognitive impairment in the elderly, so doctors may avoid prescribing these drugs for older patients. And Tylenol is generally considered safer than Advil or aspirin for pregnant women.Fever is another area where acetaminophen can help, said Moore. According to one systematic review, acetaminophen seems to be safe for treating very young kids with fever, and you can give children as young as 3 months old acetaminophen, whereas you need to wait until kids are at least 6 months old to safely treat them with ibuprofen. This may help to explain the popularity of drugs like Tylenol for kids.

But a final caveat here: If your child is older than 6 months, it’s not all that clear that acetaminophen outperforms ibuprofen for reducing fevers, and the same is true for adults. So keep that in mind the next time you confront your medicine cabinet.

Send your questions to Julia via the submission form or on Twitter. Read more about Dear Julia here.

Taking Ibuprofen Every Day Could Lead To A Heart Attack

Ibuprofen may seen like an easy fix for aches and pains however, if you take too much of it for too long, you might find yourself in pain with a devastating cardiac event.

The thought of having a heart attack is definitely scary. Fortunately, however, your risk of having one isn’t all that high when you’re young and healthy. That said, if you take ibuprofen every day, you could still have a heart attack even if you’re constantly looking for ways to make your heart healthier. According to Mayo Clinic, if you have cardiovascular disease , taking NSAIDs every day could greatly increase your chances of suffering a heart attack. However, as Rekha Mankad explained on Mayo Clinic’s website, “Although aspirin is a type of NSAID, it doesn’t appear to be associated with a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.”

If you have been taking Advil or Motrin regularly and start to notice chest pains or shortness of breath, you might want to switch to aspirin or talk to your doctor about alternative painkillers.

Read Also: What Is Lower Back Pain Caused From

When It Might Not Be For You

If you have other health problems, talk to your doctor before taking ibuprofen.

The FDA warns that using NSAIDs increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as early as the first weeks of starting. Ask your doctor if Motrin or ibuprofen is right for you, and at which dosage. If it is not a good choice given your condition, perhaps your doctor can suggest a suitable substitute for pain management. The longer you take Motrin, the greater will be your risk for cardiovascular events.

Speak to your doctor about taking Motrin on the day of any type of surgery, including when you are having dental work.

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs also increase the risk of ulcers, bleeding in the stomach, and related GI problems. These known side effects can have very serious consequences, including death. They can occur at any time when taking Motrin and may show up without a previous warning. Again, the wisest thing to do if you already have stomach problems is to speak with your doctor before taking Motrin.

Ibuprofen and alcohol don’t mix taking alcohol with ibuprofen may increase your risk for stomach bleeding.

If you have phenylketonuria, read the package carefully to see if the product contains phenylalanine. If it does, dont take it.

Best Bets For Back Pain

When your back is bothering you and you don’t want to take prescription drugs, over-the-counter solutions and physical therapies can help relieve symptoms.

At this moment, about 10% of men have a backache, and up to 90% will have a backache at some point in their lives. Most flare-ups of low back pain get better over time, often within a few weeks. Pain control is important because it allows you to stay active, which assists in your recovery. For over-the-counter pain relievers, you have two options: acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs .

But pain relievers are only one tool to help you recover from, and prevent, low back pain, according to Dr. Jeffrey N. Katz, professor of medicine and surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and editor of the Harvard Special Health Report Low Back Pain: Healing Your Aching Back. Dr. Katz suggests you also include these steps in your back-care plan:

Soothe with cold or heat. In the first few days, when pain is most intense and may be accompanied by inflammation, apply cold compresses for 15-minute periods. After a few days, switch to warm compresses to relax the affected muscles and enhance blood flow to the area. This simple approach can reduce reliance on pain relievers.

Recommended Reading: Can Dehydration Cause Lower Back Pain

How Acetaminophen Is Used For Back Pain

Acetaminophen is sold in varying strengths without a prescription, including regular strength, extra strength, and arthritis pain formulas. While over-the-counter acetaminophen is often recommended to treat mild to moderate pain, a physician may recommend an acetaminophen-opioid combination in some situations, such as for severe pain or pain following back surgery.

Acetaminophen For Back Pain

See Medications for Back Pain and Neck Pain

Acetaminophen may be recommended for people who are unable to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications , such as ibuprofen , aspirin, or celecoxib , because of stomach irritation. Other people may be prescribed acetaminophen because of worries about increased risk of bleeding from other medications, such as warfarin , clopidogrel , or rivaroxaban , which are all blood thinners.

See Potential Risks and Complications of NSAIDs

Acetaminophen is among the most common over-the-counter pain medications. In addition to being widely sold on its own, acetaminophen is in other medications, including those used for coughs and colds, such as some formulations of NyQuil and Robitussin. These combinations make it more likely that a person taking acetaminophen might take a second medicinesuch as cough syrupwithout realizing the cough syrup also contains acetaminophen.

Recommended Reading: Is Foam Mattress Good For Back Pain

What About Taking Ibuprofen Before Exercise

You may be tempted to try to prevent exercise pain by taking ibuprofen or other medications before you start your activity. Experts say this isn’t a good idea. Aside from the side effects that you might experience from taking medications, research shows that taking ibuprofen before exercise may worsen damage to your body’s tissues and delay healing.

What Other Drugs Could Interact With This Medication

There may be an interaction between methocarbamol – ibuprofen and any of the following:

• 5-ASA medications
• acetylsalicylic acid
• aminoglycoside antibiotics
• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
• angiotensin II receptor blockers
• antacids
• antihistamines
• antipsychotics
• apixaban
• barbiturates
• benzodiazepines
• beta-blockers
• calcium channel blockers
• celecoxib
• corticosteroids
• cyclosporine
• diuretics
• drospirenone
• general anesthetics
• glucosamine
• influenza vaccine
• heparin
• herbal products that affect blood clotting
• lithium
• low-molecular-weight heparins
• metformin
• other muscle relaxants
• nabilone
• narcotic pain relievers
• other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• obinutuzumab
• prostaglandin eye drops
• quinolone antibiotics
• rivaroxaban
• seizure medications
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
• serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
• sodium phosphates
• tricyclic antidepressants
• vancomycin
• zolpidem
• zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Don’t Miss: Why Do I Have Sudden Lower Back Pain

Can Ibuprofen Cause Problems

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with ibuprofen. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer’s printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you experience any of the following less frequent but possibly serious symptoms, stop taking ibuprofen and contact your doctor for advice straightaway:

• If you have any breathing difficulties such as wheeze or breathlessness.
• If you have any signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling around your mouth or face, or an itchy skin rash.
• If you pass blood or black stools, bring up blood, or have severe stomach pains.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

Taking Ibuprofen Every Day Could Make Your Potassium Levels Skyrocket

When you take ibuprofen every day, you likely aren’t thinking about how it will impact your body’s potassium. However, perhaps you should give more thought to your potassium levels the next time you find yourself reaching for the Advil bottle.

Generally, people only think about potassium if they feel they don’t have enough of it. According to Healthline, muscle cramps, weakness, and fatigue are all signs of low potassium, which is probably why many people rely on bananas for their post-workout refreshment. However, if you take ibuprofen every day especially in high amounts you might end up accidentally skyrocketing your potassium levels. Unfortunately, this could present some dangers to your body.

According to GoodRx, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen “raise potassium levels by causing the kidneys to hold onto potassium.” And if your potassium is too high, your life could be at risk. As noted by GoodRx, potassium levels over 5.5 can cause a person to go into cardiac arrest, which could prove to be fatal. So, before you take a few Advil as a hangover cure, consider trying alternative remedies instead.

Read Also: Can Back Pain Go Away On Its Own

How To Take Tablets Capsules And Syrup

The usual dose for adults is one or two 200mg tablets 3 times a day. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of up to 600mg to take 4 times a day if needed. This should only happen under supervision of a doctor.

If you take ibuprofen 3 times a day, leave at least 6 hours between doses. If you take it 4 times a day, leave at least 4 hours between doses.

If you have pain all the time, your doctor may recommend slow-release ibuprofen tablets or capsules. It’s usual to take these once a day in the evening or twice a day. Leave a gap of 10 to 12 hours between doses if you’re taking ibuprofen twice a day.

For people who find it difficult to swallow tablets or capsules, ibuprofen is available as a tablet that melts in your mouth, granules that you mix with a glass of water to make a drink, and as a syrup.

Swallow ibuprofen tablets or capsules whole with a glass of water or juice. You should take ibuprofen tablets and capsules after a meal or snack or with a drink of milk. It will be less likely to upset your stomach.

Do not chew, break, crush or suck them as this could irritate your mouth or throat.