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Ibuprofen

 

The Ibuprofen is a drug that is frequently found in any medicine cabinet, nothing out of the ordinary because it serves to relieve pain, reduce fever and also has an anti – inflammatory effect.

But, like all medicines, it has side effects and we must take into account highly relevant aspects that appear in the leaflet, such as certain risks, observations and precautions.

Ibuprofen: what is it

It is a drug that has anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antipyretic and analgesic properties. It belongs to the so-called ‘NSAIDs’, which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This pain reliever is the most widely used.

It was patented in 1961 and discovered by Stewart Adams among others. Additionally, it was launched in the UK in 1969 to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

The Ibuprofen restrict activity of the enzyme called cyclooxygenase 2 of surface tissues that are in soft body of the organism, resulting in the decrease of the preparation of prostaglandins. These are a set of substances that are derived from fatty acids and cause an analgesic effect and a reduction in inflammation. The effect it has is anti-fever and is due to the central activity it has on the hypothalamus.

What is Ibuprofen for?

We can find it in tablets, sachets or in the form of syrup so that children can take it in an easier way, such as Dalsy. This medicine is used to:

  1. Reduce fever, that is, it has an antipyretic effect.
  2. Ease the pain. Calms pain, due to its analgesic effect, be it headaches, migraines, lumbar and back pain, toothaches.
  3. Reduce inflammation. Which can be caused by injuries, arthritis, osteoarthritis .

It should be noted that this drug is not an antibiotic nor is it essential to treat a cold or flu , since it is used to kill viruses or relieve symptoms, such as nasal congestion or cough. It can be taken to calm signs such as fever or headaches associated with a cold.

However, it is the right medicine for a sore throat, since it is usually accompanied by inflammation.

In addition to its use for these ailments, it can also be used to:

  • Mild pain, such as: dental pain, muscle pain, pain after having undergone surgery and even pain due to menstruation.
  • Acne treatment suitable for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Ibuprofen dosage

It can be taken orally (in sachets or tablets) or rectally (suppositories). It is the doctor who must indicate the dosage and the treatment model for each case, although oral administration is the most used. The recommended doses for this type of administration are:

In adults as an anti-inflammatory effect: The recommended dose of Ibuprofen would be about 1200 mg to about 2000 mg per day divided into different doses. Certain people can stay on 800 or 1200 mg. Keep in mind that the daily dose should not exceed 2400 mg.

In adults as an antipyretic and analgesic effect: in this case, the recommended dose is 400 to 600 mg every 6 hours depending on the degree of the condition and how it reacts to the treatment.

It is not suitable in children under 12 years of age or in pregnant women, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Side effects

  1. Sickness
  2. Weight gain
  3. Lack of appetite
  4. Skin rash
  5. Urticaria
  6. Fast heartbeat
  7. Headache
  8. May lead to stiff neck
  9. Confusion

Can all people take it?

The answer is no. Its contraindications are as follows:

  1. People who are allergic to this or another type of anti-inflammatory, such as aspirin.
  2. People with very serious diseases related to the liver, kidneys, or heart failure.
  3. Those people who have suffered or suffer ulcers, perforations or bleeding in the stomach or digestive system .
  4. People who have a blood clotting disorder or who are taking anticoagulants.

It is also necessary to emphasize that special care must be taken with said anti-inflammatory and never ingest it without consulting a doctor first if:

  • The person suffers from edema or retains fluids.
  • You suffer from hypertension or some alteration in the heart.
  • She suffers from asthma .
  • You have vomiting or diarrhea.
  • If you have chickenpox , it is advisable not to take this medicine.

Ibuprofen and Paracetamol Interactions

The two drugs are the most widely used pain relievers, but it should be noted that each has its own risks and indications.

Both are used to lower fever and pain. They are safe medicines if the correct and low doses are taken. Problems can arise if high doses are ingested and in people who have chronic problems it is necessary to consult with the doctor.

But which of the two should be taken? It depends on the person, their medical history, and the problem to be treated. Here are some recommendations :

The Ibuprofen is an anti – inflammatory steroid containing no. It calms pain, inflammation and fever, and compared to Paracetamol it works better as an antipyretic. The latter is more recommended to reduce fever and reduce headache. The use of high doses or excessive consumption in those who have liver problems is not advisable.

The Ibuprofen usually acts before and have a faster function, half an hour, while the Paracetamol does not act until three quarters of an hour or an hour.

To finish, we can make a summary indicating that if Ibuprofen is taken, it should often be done by ingesting the lowest dose (400 mg). You should not take more than three tablets a day and if the person suffers or has suffered from heart problems, thrombosis, high blood pressure, diabetes , cholesterol, this medicine cannot be taken, but the doctor has to prescribe it.

Ibuprofen and emotions

According to researchers, pain relievers such as ibuprofen can help reduce emotional distress and modify emotions. These investigations showed that this pain reliever works differently in men and women.

The research was based on the responses of 138 university students – 62 men and 76 women. In this one, after completing their initial exams, half of the students who participated in the research took 400 mg of ibuprofen and the other half received a placebo.

In the first part of the investigation , the participants were given the order to play a video game; they were subsequently asked to assess their emotions. In the second part, they were asked to write a description about a situation in which they experienced betrayal and another situation in which they experienced physical pain; again they were asked to evaluate their emotions.

According to the experiment, women who took ibuprofen had fewer feelings of distress than men , therefore it was concluded that ibuprofen can help women reduce distress and function in men as a trigger for their emotions.

 

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Hello Readers, I am Nikki Bella a Psychology student. I have always been concerned about human behavior and the mental processes that lead us to act and think the way we do. My collaboration as an editor in the psychology area of ​​Well Being Pole has allowed me to investigate further and expand my knowledge in the field of mental health; I have also acquired great knowledge about physical health and well-being, two fundamental bases that are directly related and are part of all mental health.

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