Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication or NSAID that can be prescribed at high doses to treat pain, swelling and inflammation. Doctors will prescribe high-levels of ibuprofen to treat moderate pain related to arthritis and other painful conditions. Ibuprofen works by altering chemical signals in the body related to pain and inflammation. Although ibuprofen may treat symptoms, it may cause serious side effects at high doses. Therefore, a patient should become aware of side effects associated with ibuprofen and know what to do if they occur.
Ulcer Formation
Ibuprofen may cause ulcers, states the Mayo Clinic. Ulcers are holes in the stomach or intestinal tract that can cause significant bleeding. This occurs because ibuprofen breaks down the protective lining in the stomach that prevents stomach acid from damaging the stomach tissue. A patient taking high levels of ibuprofen should seek immediate medical attention if he has bloody vomit, bloody stools or stomach pain. If these symptoms persist, he should stop taking ibuprofen and see his doctor. A doctor will either switch medications or prescribe another medication to counteract ulcer formation. A patient should always let his doctor know if he has a history of ulcers.
Seizure
With high doses, ibuprofen may cause a seizure, states Drugs.com This risk is increased because high levels of ibuprofen can affect chemicals signals in the brain, which may lead to an instability in brain communication. This instability can cause a seizure, particularly in patients who have seizure disorder. Therefore, a patient should let his doctor know if he has a history of seizure disorder before taking ibuprofen. Additionally, a patient who experiences a new seizure after taking ibuprofen should immediately stop taking ibuprofen and let his doctor know. A doctor will likely prescribe a different medication that will not increase the risk of seizure.
Chest Pain
Chest pain is a serious side effect associated with high levels of ibuprofen, states Drugs.com. Ibuprofen increases the risk for chest pain because the chemicals in ibuprofen can affect the blood vessels around the heart. Taking high levels of ibuprofen may cause these blood vessels to constrict and cause chest pain. In this case, a patient should immediately stop taking ibuprofen and seek immediate medical treatment. Chest pain may indicate a more serious medical condition. Therefore, proper diagnosis and treatment is necessary to prevent further complications.
