Khaberni - Those taking common painkillers such as ibuprofen (Advil) should not mix it with certain medications to avoid undesirable drug interactions.
Ibuprofen painkillers work by reducing hormones responsible for pain and inflammation, thereby easing symptoms of various conditions, including back pain, menstrual pain, toothaches, and symptoms of colds, flu, or coronavirus (COVID-19).
According to "Soury Life", it is advised to take ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules, or liquids with a meal or a light snack, or with a glass of milk. This will reduce the likelihood of stomach upset. If taken right after eating, ibuprofen may take longer to start working."
In general, it is advised not to take ibuprofen painkillers with the following medications:
1. Blood thinners
Ibuprofen has mild blood-thinning effects. Therefore, when taken with other anticoagulant or blood-thinning medications, the likelihood of bleeding increases.
This bleeding could be minor, such as gum bleeding after brushing your teeth, or it could be severe, such as brain bleeding.
2. Aspirin
Aspirin is an over-the-counter medication that can be used for mild pain and fever relief. It is usually taken in low doses (81 mg daily) for heart protection, due to its blood-thinning effect.
Taking aspirin with ibuprofen may be dangerous, as it could increase the risk of severe bleeding or stomach ulcers. Both are side effects of either drug alone, but their combination increases the likelihood of these effects.
3. Blood pressure medications
Both angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers can interact with ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen can reduce the effectiveness of these medications in lowering blood pressure. This may lead to an increase in blood pressure, which is dangerous. Also, combining ibuprofen with blood pressure medications may cause kidney issues.
4. Diuretics
Diuretics are medications that help remove excess fluid from the body. They can also be prescribed to help lower blood pressure. There are different types of diuretics.
Ibuprofen may reduce the effectiveness of diuretics in removing fluid from the body. This combination may also cause kidney damage.
The patient may need to use an alternative to ibuprofen if they are taking diuretics. However, in certain cases the doctor may approve combining diuretics with ibuprofen after checking kidney function.
5. Bisphosphonates
Bisphosphonates help prevent bone loss. The medication is often prescribed to treat osteoporosis.
Bisphosphonates can cause ulcers in the stomach or esophagus. Therefore, it is advised to sit or stand for 30 to 60 minutes after taking the dose. Taking ibuprofen with bisphosphonates may increase the risk of stomach-related side effects.
6. Lithium
Lithium (Lithobid) is commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. Combining lithium with ibuprofen may increase lithium levels in the body, which could cause lithium toxicity. Symptoms of lithium toxicity include tremors, nausea, and confusion.
7. Methotrexate
Methotrexate (Trexall) can be used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and certain types of cancer. Ibuprofen interacts with methotrexate causing increased levels of methotrexate in the body.
This is dangerous because methotrexate toxicity can damage many organs in the body, including the liver, kidneys, and bone marrow.
Therefore, it is preferable to avoid combining ibuprofen with methotrexate, especially at high doses or for extended periods.
