Medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also known as NSAIDs) are popular drugs. These are used for managing several clinical conditions such as headaches, gout, increase in body temperature, back pains and in treating discomforts associated with the treatment of arthritis – especially rheumatoid-arthritis. Those who have gastric conditions like colitis (ulcerative) as well as inflammatory bowel disease (or, IBD) need to exercise caution while using NSAIDs. is a widely used NSAID. But, can you take diclofenac sodium and ibuprofen together? It is important to have needful insights into this.
Drugs belonging to a category termed as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs i.e., NSAIDs can decrease discomforts like fever, pains and inflammation. “Non-steroidal” aids in differentiating these drugs from steroidal meds like corticosteroids. This becomes essential as a few corticosteroids is known to have anti-inflammatory capabilities. Key chemicals present in NSAIDs can inhibit enzymes like COX – 1 and COX – 2; these are broadly referred to as cyclooxygenase-based chemicals that your body naturally produces.
COX-based chemicals are important for the processing of natural chemical called prostaglandins; these chemicals i.e., prostaglandins act as messengers that lead to inflammation. The same chemicals are also responsible for clotting of blood. Caveat: owing to NSAIDs’ ability to inhibit the formation of clots, you run the risk of bleeding.
In this light, what is ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is one of the chief members under NSAIDs. This is essentially taken to bring relief from fever, pains and swelling. Your doctor is more likely to prescribe it if you are living with pains triggered by arthritis. Your caregiver may also administer it to treat pains you tend to develop during menstrual cycles, migraine, etc.
Ibuprofen is sold both as an orally-administered tablet as well as an intravenous injection. Its active chemicals start working in less than an hour’s time i.e., from the dosing time. Active substances ibuprofen is made of restrict prostaglandins which promotes pain and inflammation.
Ibuprofen
Of the many kinds of NSAID-based offerings, ibuprofen is believed to be a weaker substitute to many of its counterparts. This medication was discovered in the initial-part of 1960s. It subsequently came for use in second-part of 1960s, in UK. It is sold in drugstores in US from 1970s. Since then, it has soared in its rankings, and it now ranks as an important drug as per World Health Organization.
Diclofenac sodium and ibuprofen
Taking diclofenac sodium with ibuprofen is not a safe thing to do. Intake of these two drugs can lead to gastric problems like internal bleeding, ulcers, swelling, etc. In some remote instances, you may experience perforation – this can turn into a fatal condition.
Diclofenac
If you observe any of the above side effects, seek medical help on an urgent mode. It is highly recommended to talk to your caregiving team to avoid these problems. In general, your physician will prescribe drugs that do not interact when taking with NSAIDs like ibuprofen.
What do I need to know before taking ibuprofen?
If you are using ibuprofen as an OTC med or through the self-medication route, do not have it for more than 5 days. Excessive or a prolonged use of this NSAID can lead to severe ulcers and a few other gastric problems like traces of blood in stool, stomach pain and nausea. In some cases, non-stop spells of diarrhea have occurred.
Also, inform your caregiving team of hypersensitivity to drugs such as advil, motrin, etc. If you had a cardiac surgery done recently, you need to tell your caregiver of it. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are never administered to people who underwent a heart surgery recently. This is mainly because intake of ibuprofen can enhance the chances of heart failure.
Above all, it is a good practice to speak with your treating doctor and / or a pharmacist about intake of diclofenac sodium and ibuprofen prior to commencing your treatment plan.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Michigan. Experience: Over 8 years of experience writing for health and wellness websites, including WebMD and Healthline, specializing in women’s health and nutrition.
