Ibuprofen Aflofarm – action, contraindications, interactions, side effects

Ibuprofen is an organic chemical compound used as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic drug in mild and moderate ailments (toothache, headache, muscle pain, abdominal pain). The preparation is available without a prescription, also for use in the period of flu and colds.

Ibuprofen Aflofarm (Aflofarm Fabryka Leków)

How does Ibuprofen work?

The feature that distinguishes Ibuprofen from other commonly available painkillers is its anti-inflammatory effect. Its job is to block action cyclooxygenase, which is the enzyme responsible for the formation of pain.

We use ibuprofen in moderate or mild pain: toothache, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, migraine, lumbosacral pain, painful menstruation, and fever (e.g. in the course of flu and colds).

Dosage: Adults and children after the age of 12: orally 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours (the maximum dose is 1,2 g per day). In the case of fever in children under 12 years of age, the use of Ibuprofen should be consulted with a doctor.

Ibuprofen and contraindications and threats

A contraindication for the use of Ibuprofen are:

1. hypersensitivity to ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or any component of the preparation;
2. allergy symptoms in the form of rhinitis, urticaria or asthma after the use of acetylsalicylic acid or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
3. active or past peptic ulcer disease and / or duodenal ulcer, gastrointestinal perforation or bleeding;
4. severe liver, kidney or heart failure, hemorrhagic diathesis;
5. use of other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including COX-2 inhibitors);
6. III trimester of pregnancy.

Warnings

1. If symptoms worsen or do not improve after 3 days, a doctor should be consulted.
2. Particular caution should be exercised in people with hypertension and / or cardiac dysfunction, with impaired liver function, impaired renal function, with systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease, with blood coagulation disorders (ibuprofen may prolong bleeding time) and in for patients taking other medications (anticoagulants, diuretics, cardiac drugs, corticosteroids).
3. Patients with a history of gastrointestinal disease such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and Crohn’s disease may worsen them.
4. In people with bronchial asthma (active or past asthma) and allergic diseases, the intake of the preparation may cause bronchospasm.
5. The elderly are at increased risk of side effects. To reduce the risk of side effects, it is recommended to take the preparation in the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible period.
6. There is a risk of gastrointestinal haemorrhage, ulceration or perforation which may be fatal and may not necessarily be followed by warning symptoms.
7. Tell your doctor about any unusual gastrointestinal symptoms (especially bleeding), especially at the beginning of treatment. This applies especially to the elderly and people with gastrointestinal diseases, for whom it is recommended to use the lowest dose possible.
8. The use of anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin, acenocoumarol), anti-aggregating drugs (e.g. acetylsalicylic acid), corticosteroids increases the risk of bleeding and gastrointestinal dysfunction.
9. Severe skin reactions, some of them fatal (exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis), may occur. The greatest risk of the above-mentioned reactions occurs at the beginning of treatment. At the first appearance of skin symptoms (e.g. rash, damage to the oral mucosa, other signs of hypersensitivity), the treatment should be discontinued and a doctor should be consulted.
10. Patients with arterial hypertension, cardiac dysfunction, edema, high cholesterol, diabetics or smoking should consult a physician before using the preparation.
11. Long-term use of the preparation in high doses may increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Long-term parallel use of ibuprofen and other pain medications may cause renal failure.
12. The preparation contains sucrose; patients with hereditary problems associated with fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not use the preparation.
13. There is evidence that NSAIDs can cause temporary impairment of female fertility.
14. It is not recommended for use in women in the first and second trimester of pregnancy; use in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy only with the consent of the doctor and only if absolutely necessary. Use in the third trimester of pregnancy is contraindicated.
15. Before using the preparation during breastfeeding, consult your doctor.

Substance interactions with Ibuprofen

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen should not be used with the following medications:

– acetylsalicylic acid or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (as the risk of side effects increases);

– diuretics or antihypertensive drugs (possible reduction in their effectiveness);

– anticoagulants (possible increase in their effect, e.g. warfarin);

– zidovudine (risk of prolonged bleeding time); methotrexate and lithium (possible increase in plasma levels of both lithium and methotrexate; it is recommended to control their concentration in the blood); corticosteroids (increased risk of side effects, especially in the gastrointestinal tract);

– cardiac glycosides (risk of increasing heart failure and increasing the concentration of cardiac glycosides in the plasma);

– mifepristone (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used within 8 to 12 days after administration of mifepristone may reduce its effectiveness);

– cyclosporin (increased risk of nephrotoxicity);

– quinolone antibiotics (increased risk of convulsions).

Possible side effects after taking Ibuprofen

The following may occur: indigestion, abdominal pain and discomfort, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, vomiting, gastritis, gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation (may be fatal, especially in the elderly), tarry stools, bloody vomiting, peptic ulcer disease, exacerbation of colitis and Crohn’s disease, liver dysfunction, decreased urine output, renal failure, renal papillary necrosis, increased plasma sodium levels (sodium retention), edema, hypertension, heart failure, depression, psychotic reactions, tinnitus.

Very rarely, disorders of the blood and the lymphatic system may occur, such as: haemolytic and aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia (the first symptoms of these disorders include: fever, sore throat, superficial ulceration of the oral mucosa, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, bleeding) , bruises, ecchymosis, purpura, epistaxis).

Hypersensitivity and allergic reactions may occur (rash, itching, hives, erythema multiforme, swelling of the face, larynx, tongue, dyspnoea, decreased blood pressure, shock, exacerbation of asthma, bronchospasm, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome). . Isolated cases of symptoms associated with aseptic meningitis (neck stiffness, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, confusion) have been reported in people with autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus erythematosus).

Long-term use of ibuprofen in high doses (2400 mg daily) may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.