Ibuprofen: Friend or Foe? What you should know....

WHAT EXACTLY IS IBUPROFEN?

It’s a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It’s used to relieve pain, reduces fever, and helps with inflammation. Part of the livers job is to eliminate drugs such as ibuprofen, from the body. It’s been found, however, the more ibuprofen that is consumed, especially in high amounts, the less efficiently the liver detoxifies of it. When there is drug (toxin) build-up in the liver, function becomes compromised and the liver is unable to eliminate the drugs properly, causing the liver to become damaged or inflamed (hepatitis). Inflammation of the liver resulting from medication is called drug-induced hepatitis. In the worst case scenario, liver failure occurs. It’s been estimated 2,500 people per year die from NSAID’s.  

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

Dosage should never exceed the recommended 800 mg. per dose up to four times per day. Personally, I say take it only if you have to. People are often too quick to pop an ibuprofen at the first cramp, headache, or even to take away the soreness after a good workout. There are other options in each of these cases. Speak to a qualified, experienced, herbalist, or someone who has knowledge of homeopathics. I always recommend taking a natural route first. As for those with compromised liver already, ibuprofen should strongly be discouraged unless specified by your physician, such cases would include alcoholism, liver cancer, those with any strain of Hepatitis (A, B, C, or others), as well as, recent transplant patients, etc.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M SUFFERING FROM TOO MUCH IBUPROFEN?

There are certain symptoms that run in line when you’ve been overdoing it on ibuprofen.

Here’s some of them:

- Liver pain (generally on the upper right side of the front torso)

- Headaches (can be accompanied by blurred vision)

- Ringing in the ears

- Diarrhea (or constipation)

- Fatigue

- Loss of appetite

- Poor digestion (gas and bloating as a result)

- Dark colored urine (sometimes foul smelling)

- Abnormal looking bowel movements

- Yellowish color to the skin

- Nausea and/or vomiting

- Blood pressure could also become elevated

WHAT IF I HAVE MANY OF THOSE SYMPTOMS?

I’d stop using ibuprofen as soon as it was suspected you could be taking too much. Whether symptoms subside or not, I’d strongly encourage you to see your doctor, and ask him/her to run tests to check all aspects of your liver/function, as symptoms may disappear, but damage could be done. Your physician might have other recommendations for you, and your specific case.