NHS issues warning to everyone who takes ibuprofen

If you are in one of these groups, you need to be extra careful, warns the NHS

If you’re not feeling well, you’ve likely reached for ibuprofen at some point. While most adults and young people aged 17 and over can safely use this medication, there are certain groups who may not be able to take it.

There are a few different forms of ibuprofen such as tablets, capsules, liquid and granules. In a warning on its website, the NHS outlines who should avoid ibuprofen and highlights potential side effects, some of which may not be widely known.

So, who can and can’t take ibuprofen, and what side effects should you watch out for? Here’s what the NHS think you need to know.

Do not take ibuprofen if…

The NHS warns that you should not take ibuprofen by mouth or apply it to your skin if you have ever had an allergic reaction or symptoms like wheezing, a runny nose or a skin reaction after taking aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen. It also warns people who are pregnant to avoid this.

To make sure ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid is safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:

1. have ever had bleeding in your stomach or a hole (perforation) in your stomach caused by an NSAID
2. have had a hole (perforation) in your stomach, bleeding in your stomach or a stomach ulcer more than once
3. have a health problem that means you have an increased chance of bleeding
4. have severe heart failure, severe kidney failure or severe liver failure
5. are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
6. have high blood pressure that’s not under control
7. have heart disease or mild to moderate heart failure, or have ever had a stroke
8. have kidney or liver problems
9. have asthma, hay fever or allergies
10. have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
11. have chickenpox – taking ibuprofen can increase the chance of certain infections and skin reactions

If you’re over 65, taking ibuprofen can increase your risk of developing stomach ulcers. If you need to take ibuprofen for a long-term condition, your doctor may also prescribe a medication to help protect your stomach.

To make sure ibuprofen applied to the skin is safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

1. kidney problems
2. asthma
3. hay fever
4. allergies
5. a stomach ulcer

What are the common side effects of tablets, capsules, granules and liquid?

These common side effects of oral ibuprofen occur in more than one in 100 people:

1. Headaches
2. Feeling dizzy
3. Being sick
4. Wind
5. Indigestion

Call a doctor or call 111 straight away and stop taking ibuprofen if you have:

1. black poo or blood in your vomit – these can be signs of bleeding in your stomach
2. swollen ankles, blood in your pee or not peeing at all – these can be signs of a kidney problem

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

1. you have severe chest or stomach pain – these can be signs of a hole in your stomach or gut
2. you have difficulty breathing, or asthma symptoms that become worse
3. you get a severe headache, a high temperature or stiff neck, and a dislike of bright lights – these can be signs or inflammation of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges)
4. you have blurred vision or you see or hear things that are not real (hallucinations)

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to ibuprofen. You should call 999 if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

In their conclusion, the NHS advises that if you or the person you know develops a rash that is swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling, it could indicate a serious allergic reaction. In this case, it will likely require immediate hospital treatment.

Additionally, ibuprofen can cause ulcers in the stomach or gut, especially when taken orally in high doses or over a long period. If ongoing use is needed, your doctor may prescribe medication to help protect your stomach.