Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory medication indicated for treatment of fever, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, painful menstruation, mild to moderate pain and migraine headache. It is also indicated preventatively for migraine. It is available as a prescription and non-prescription medication, with doses over 400mg being prescription doses only. Like all medicines, ibuprofen has a variety of possible side effects.
Nausea
Nausea is a common side effect of ibuprofen 800mg. Other common gastrointestinal side effects include stomach pain, constipation and heartburn. Drugs.com also lists as common side effects diarrhea, gas and stomach upset. To minimize these effects, the "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide" recommends taking this drug with a meal.
Dizziness
Some patients complain of dizziness after taking ibuprofen. If this occurs, you should avoid tasks that require good equilibrium, such as driving or performing other critical tasks. Some patients also feel nervous after taking this drug.
Headache
Headache is another common side effect of ibuprofen, even though the drug is a treatment for headache pain. If you find that ibuprofen often gives you a headache, discuss this with your physician. She may wish to prescribe a different medication or give you strategies to treat or prevent this untoward effect. Ringing in the ears may also occur with this medicine.
Sleep Problems
A common side effect of ibuprofen is insomnia. This side effect can often be managed by sleep hygiene improvements, such as relaxation prior to sleep and sleeping in a dark, quiet room. If lifestyle changes do not improve insomnia, seek a physician's advice. Curiously, excessive sleepiness is also a common side effect. If this occurs, avoid driving and other sensitive tasks while sleepy. Consult your prescribing physician about excessive sleepiness if it becomes problematic.
Rash
The "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide" relates that rash is a common complaint of ibuprofen users. Consult your physician to determine if a rash is a symptom of allergy to the drug or an unrelated harmless condition. She may prescribe a cream or oral medication to treat the rash. Another common side effect of this drug is itching skin.
Bleeding
An uncommon but serious side effect of ibuprofen is bleeding. This risk increases at high doses, such as an 800mg tablet taken several times a day for several weeks. This bleeding can occur anywhere in the body, but especially in the gastrointestinal tract. You should be alert for tarry-looking stools or dark vomit that resembles used coffee grounds, both symptoms of GI bleeding. You should also advise the doctor immediately about fainting, excessive tiredness, seizures and difficulty breathing--potential symptoms of bleeding elsewhere in the body. Excessive bruising and external bleeding should also be brought to the physician's attention.
References
- "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide;" Amy M. Karch, R.N., M.S.; 2010
- Pfizer: Motrin Prescribing Information
- Drugs.com: Motrin Side Effects
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