Many people take ibuprofen to help control their pain, but too much of the medication can have an adverse effect on the body. People who have disorders that involve the liver are at an extra riskl while occasional use will not have a large impact, too much ibuprofen can result in damage to the liver, as well as additional damage to the stomach and the intestines. If you are worried about the impact ibuprofen has on your liver, talk to your doctor before starting an ibuprofen treatment regiment.
Ibuprofen
According to the National Institutes of Health, ibuprofen is in the class of medications known as NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs work by preventing the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever and inflammation. Used in small doses, ibuprofen is an effective pain killer that does not have many health risks.
Liver Inflammation
According to CDC in the report "Ibuprofen vs. Acetaminophen", ibuprofen is a cause of liver inflammation. Although ibuprofen is not as toxic as acetaminophen, according to the report "Ibuprofen vs. Acetaminophen", excess dosages of ibuprofen can cause toxic hepatitis. Too much ibuprofen causes a rise in the production of alanine aminotransferase, or ALT, which is released when liver cells are damaged or are dying.
Hepatitis C
The report "Ibuprofen vs. Acetaminophen" recommends that patients with hepatitis C should not use ibuprofen. Large consumed amounts of ibuprofen can stress the liver and raised the levels of liver enzymes. If patients with chronic hepatitis C do choose to use ibuprofen as a pain killer, the report recommends that liver function tests should be done every month for 3 months, followed by examinations every 3 months.
Liver Disease
According to the National Institutes of Health, patients with liver damage should not use ibuprofen. Liver damage patients who use ibuprofen are at a higher risk for gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition, liver disease patients are at a higher risk for other ibuprofen side effects, such as ulcers and gastrointestinal pain.
Warning
Users of ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are at a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes. In addition, more serious side effects of ibuprofen include ulcers, bleeding or holes in the stomach or the intestine. Patients who are at greater risk for these side effects are people who use ibuprofen on a long-term basis, are in poor health or drink 3 or more alcoholic drinks while on ibuprofen.
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