Ibuprofen is a common over the counter (OTC) medication that helps with pain relief. Since it is available over the counter, some people reach for it any time they are experiencing pain to get some relief. But, is taking ibuprofen everyday bad for you?
Common Uses for Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a pain reliever and fever reducer that is used for temporary relief from minor aches and pains caused by:
- Minor arthritis pain
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Toothaches
- Backaches
- Menstrual cramps
- Common cold
Ibuprofen is commonly sold under these brand names:
- Advil
- Motrin
- PediaCare Children’s Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer IB
- PediaCare Infant’s Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer IB
How Often Can You Take Ibuprofen?
Is taking ibuprofen everyday bad for you? Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, you should avoid taking ibuprofen daily. Over the counter ibuprofen is typically recommended for pain relief for up to 10 days or up to 3 days for a fever. It can be easy to slip into the habit of taking ibuprofen daily when you experience long-lasting, chronic pain. However, continuing to take ibuprofen can be dangerous.
What Are The Risks of Taking Too Much Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen typically has little to no side effects when taken as recommended. But when you take ibuprofen for too long you may start to have some serious health concerns. Your risk of stomach ulcers, kidney damage, and serious bleeding increase since the ingredients in ibuprofen that relieve pain can also affect other body processes like blood flow to the kidneys, blood clotting, and stomach and intestine protection. Heart problems are also a concern, including heart failure, heart attacks, and stroke. The longer you take ibuprofen, the more at risk you are for these possible complications.
Can You Overdose on Ibuprofen?
Yes, overdosing on ibuprofen is a risk. According to a study, ibuprofen is the most common NSAID overdose. An ibuprofen overdose often happens when someone takes multiple medications that contain ibuprofen and accidentally exceed the maximum dose.
If you have taken too much ibuprofen, you may experience:
- severe dizziness
- fast or uncontrollable eye movements
- trouble breathing
- changes in breathing
- and/or a blue color to your face.
Experiencing any of these symptoms could be life-threatening and you should call 911 immediately. If you believe you or another person may have taken too much ibuprofen but aren’t experiencing overdose symptoms, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Ibuprofen Alternatives for Pain Relief
If you remain in pain after taking the recommended dose of ibuprofen for 10 days, you will need to switch to another pain reliever. OTC medications like acetaminophen can help, but they also have limitations. Natural pain relievers could be an excellent option to find relief from aches and pains.
Ache Support from BioClinical Science
Whether you’re experiencing daily arthritis pain or a toothache, using natural pain relievers can get you back on your feet without wondering “is taking ibuprofen everyday bad for you”. Ache Support from BioClinical Science goes to work reducing inflammation, swelling, nerve pain, and joint pain. Developed by pharmacists and one of the top-rated pain management doctors in South Carolina, you can feel confident in taking it daily for chronic pain. Ache Support contains turmeric, black pepper extract, alpha-lipoic acid, green tea extract, and vitamin B12 to pack a punch on pain and get you back to enjoying life.
