What Should You Know About Ibuprofen And Aspirin?

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is sold under remarkably many different names, including Advil, Medripren, Motrin, Nuprin, Children's Advil and Motrin, and PediaCare Fever. Like Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen can be used to treat pain and fevers. It can additionally be used to reduce inflammation, making it suitable for the treatment of inflammatory conditions including gout. 

For adults, the maximum daily dosage is 3200 mg, and for children, dosage is based on weight and should be determined in consultation with your pharmacist. Should your pain last more than 10 days, or should you have a fever for more than three days, see your doctor before continuing use of Ibuprofen. For some conditions, the full benefit of Ibuprofen isn't experienced until after you have taken it for two weeks, but in this case, the medication will have been prescribed by your doctor.

Here's what you need to know:

• The FDA recently strengthened an existing warning that non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which include Ibuprofen, increase your risk of having a heart attack and stroke, particularly if you use them in large doses and over long periods of time. 
• Contact your doctor immediately, or seek emergency medical help, if you have taken Ibuprofen and experience breathing difficulties, chest pain, slurred speech, or weakness on one side of your body. 
• Do not use any over-the counter NSAID if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or stomach or digestive tract bleeding, without consulting your doctor beforehand. 
• Check your blood pressure regularly while using Ibuprofen and tell your doctor if it is high. Inform your doctor about skin rashes, swelling, itchiness, a stiff neck, stomach upsets, and any other unusual symptoms you have after taking Ibuprofen as well. 
• Drinking a small amount of alcohol while using Ibuprofen is considered safe. 
• Do not lie down within 10 minutes of taking Ibuprofen and swallow it with a full glass of water unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Never use more than the recommended dosage, which includes not taking the next dose too soon.

Aspirin

Aspirin is also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and it can be used to treat the same symptoms Ibuprofen treats. In addition, as a blood thinner, low doses of Aspirin may also be prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. The maximum dose for adults is 4,000 mg over a 24-hour period. As with Ibuprofen, you shouldn't take Aspirin for pain longer than 10 days or for fever longer than three days without consulting your doctor. 

Here's what else you need to know before you take Aspirin over the counter:

• Read the package insert and stick to the recommended dosage. If in doubt, remember that your pharmacist can answer your questions.
• Do not lie down within 10 minutes of taking Aspirin.
• Enteric-coated tablets should always be swallowed whole rather than chewed or crushed.
• Let your doctor know about easy bruising, slurred speech, weakness on one side, a stomach ache that doesn't get better, if you have any other unusual symptoms, or if the symptoms for which you are taking Aspirin do not get better after using it.
• Due to its blood-thinning properties, Aspirin is more likely to lead to stomach and intestinal bleeding than other OTC pain relievers.

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It is extremely important to be cognizant of the risks as well as the benefits of over-the-counter pain relievers. Remember that, if you follow the instructions given to you by your pharmacist and/or doctor, you are not allergic to the pain reliever you are taking, and you only use OTC painkillers very occasionally, you are very unlikely to experience any side effects whatsoever. However, if you're using painkillers frequently, do see your doctor to discuss the safest pain relief options for you, as well as to potentially identify treatment options that might rid you of your pain without having to rely on painkillers.