Ibuprofen

Description Ibuprofen is a pain reliever (analgesic) that also reduces inflammation and fever. It belongs to a class of medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is used to treat many types of pain, from headaches and muscle aches to arthritis, menstrual pain and many other causes of discomfort.

In most cases, people buy ibuprofen as an over-the-counter drug. However, a physician can prescribe higher dosages of Motrin and combination products that include an opioid.

Some research has suggested that regular use of NSAIDs such as Motrin might help prevent conditions including cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, the scientists conducting such studies generally recommend against taking the medication for this purpose and emphasize that these were possible side benefits in patients who were prescribed the medication for conditions such as arthritis or heart disease.

Original uses (on-label) Ibuprofen is taken to relieve pain associated with a variety of conditions. These include: headaches (including migraines), muscle aches, back pain, menstruation, common colds and fever, arthritis (including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and gout), carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow and other types of joint pain, fibromyalgia, surgical or dental pain.

Newly discovered uses (off-label) Also, patients can buy Motrin online to treat kidney stones, lumbar puncture induced headache, membranous nephropathy, periodontitis, renal colic, ureteral stones.

Drug interactions You should inform your physician if you are taking any of the following medications: aspirin, lithium, methotrexate, digoxin, cyclosporine (nephrotoxicity), diuretics, some anti-hypertensives, and warfarin (bleeding).

Food interactions To avoid upsetting the stomach, generic Motrin can be taken with food or milk. Peak serum concentration decreases with food. Patients should not drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen, as it can cause increased risk of gastric bleeding and impaired liver function.

Herbal interactions Cat's claw, dong quai, evening primrose, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, red clover, horse chestnut, green tea, ginseng.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding cautions FDA Pregnancy Risk Category B (D if in 3rd trimester). Excreted in breast milk. Pregnant women should not order ibuprofen without doing so in close consultation with a physician.

Special information Stop taking this drug (with doctor's approval) approximately 24 to 48 hours prior to surgical or dental procedures, as it affects the body’s ability to form blood clots and may increase bleeding time. In April 2005, the FDA announced the potential addition of a black box warning to the labeling of this class of drugs (NSAIDs), specifically regarding potential serious cardiac events and potentially life-threatening gastric adverse events.

This information refers only to use of the prescription product.

Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus Indomethacin is commonly used for the treatment of PDA but has renal failure as a main side effect. You can buy Ibuprofen online because Motrin seems to be efficient in closing the ductus with fewer side effects, but few studies are available in literature regarding its use in preterm infants.

A study analyzed data to compare the efficacy and tolerability of ibuprofen and indomethacin for the treatment of PDA administered to preterm infants. Motrin was found to be as efficient as indomethacin and could be an alternative treatment. NSAID treatment was found to affect, at least transiently, renal function. Further studies are needed to assess whether Motrin is really less nephrotoxic than indomethacin. It should be noted that intravenously administered ibuprofen is not commercially available in United States.