Known as a popular over-the-counter pain reliever, ibuprofen belongs to a class of medications commonly called NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Now available generically, ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Previously, ibuprofen was one of the most popular arthritis drugs on the market under the brand name Motrin.
But with so many versions of over-the-counter brands (OTCs) on crowded drugstore shelves, it can be difficult to decide which medication to buy. Brand names cost considerably more than off-brands, which contain identical active ingredients and are just as strictly regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
What to Look for
The best way to find bargains is to shop around. You'll save big by buying off-brand and store-brand OTCs rather than expensive brand names. In many cases, the brand name and off-brand drugs are produced in the same factory, just placed in different boxes.
Dollar stores now offer private- or generic-label brands at low prices. According to Dollar Days International, the quality of the chain has improved considerably in recent years. Also, the Internet is brimming with bargains. Drugstore.com, a website that carries a large inventory of drugstore products, including OTC and prescription drugs, offers free shipping on orders of $25 or more.
You'll find affordable ibuprofen at major retailers including Walgreens and Wal-Mart. A new $4 generics prescription program that Wal-Mart (www.walmart.com) recently launched has saved Americans more than $1 billion. Now competitors are lowering their prices as well.
Common Pitfalls
While Ibuprofen is a valuable drug, medications can interact badly whether OTC, prescribed by doctors, or natural remedies. Unquestionably, say experts who report serious problems from not following label directions, the most common side effects of ibuprofen involve the gastrointestinal tract. Anyone taking a prescription medicine should consult with a doctor or pharmacist before taking an OTC drug.
According to the National Consumers League, 175 million people take OTC drugs for pain relief. Of these, 44 percent exceed the recommended dose while millions ignore label information. OTC complications cause 16,500 deaths and 103,000 hospitalizations every year.
Rather than ask yourself what you should know before taking ibuprofen, ask yourself why you are considering taking ibuprofen, says Dr. Peter T. Ostrow, M.D., Ph.D, an associate professor of Pathology & Neurology at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. 'Then ask your own physician, who knows about your overall health and specific conditions what treatment he or she would recommend for this particular complaint or ailment."
There are many possibilities and the answer will be different for different individuals, explains Dr. Ostrow, who is also medical reporter for WIVB-TV in Western New York. "The side effects, such as what should be avoided, and how to take a drug---dosage, timing, with or without food--- will all be part of that discussion, and also addressed on the package or the paperwork that comes with it."
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