Ibuprofen.

catherinecherub · Mar 4, 2010

Ibuprofen can cause problems for non diabetics as well as diabetics so please be careful if you take them.

My son, a healthy teenager, broke his ankle in several places just before Christmas. He was in a lot of pain for several weeks having had two plates and several screws fitted but thankfully is nearly mobile again. He is getting physio and hydrotherapy on the NHS.

We saw his Consultant today for results for tests that were ordered and the Consultant was concerned that his kidney function tests were slightly below the normal range.

When he discovered that his GP had prescribed ibuprofen since the onset he went ballistic and says that he will be phoning his GP. This Orthopedic Consultant is also a Urologist and specialises in Renal issues. He explained that he sees many people with decreased kidney function who take ibuprofen as an over the counter medicine and have no idea of the damage that it can do long term. I asked him how he felt about diabetics taking it? "Definitely not" was his reply. "There are other painkillers that can be prescribed which do not inhibit kidney function and I would hope that all GP's are aware of this issue. "If you need a painkiller than check with the pharmacist and make them aware that you are a diabetic. It affects kidneys and blood pressure and many diabetics have high blood pressure anyway".
Luckily I have been told this by my GP and do not use them.

He assured us that my son's discrepancies will return to normal in a few weeks now that he is not going to use them anymore.

Thought it might be useful to post this here and make others aware.

Catherine.

noblehead · Mar 4, 2010

Catherine,

That's shocking to hear! I've never taken Ibuprofen but my wife does, I shall be putting them in the bin after reading this. I am pleased there is no long term damage with your son kidneys, that's good to hear.

Good advice to make pharmacy's aware that you are diabetic when asking for pain relief, I try and use the same pharmacy all the time, as they are aware of my diabetes.

Regards

Nigel

cugila · Mar 4, 2010

I have to say both my Oncologist and Endocrinologist have told me to use Ibuprofen during my latest illness. However what my understanding of this is that NSAID's should be used with care in those with Renal Impairment and that they are safe for a Diabetic Patient to use providing that this is borne in mind. I think this is subjective and may just be down to the individual Consultant's opinion.

Personally I have no problems in that area and will continue to use Ibuprofen which is an anti-inflammatory drug, together with Painkillers. I have no worries about that.

Ken

noblehead · Mar 4, 2010

Catherine,

Meant to say it is disgraceful that this is known by Gp's. We put so much trust in them to know which drugs are suitable for us, often without thinking and checking.

My mother about 3 years ago went to see her gp about a woman's problem she had, the gp prescribed a pill to take twice a day for 7 days, 4 days later and my mum took a turn for the worse, my brother went round and rang her gp surgery and spoke to a different gp, when she heard my mum had been given this drug, she said to stop taking this pill immediately, cause it was reacting with other meds she was taking for bp and angina, in other words, the first gp should not have given my mum this drug. The gp then prescribed another tablet and after a couple days my mum was back to normal.

Thats why it may be worth us all sticking to the same pharmacy, as they will have all your medications in the system, and may prevent such incidents occuring.

Nigel

badmedisin · May 16, 2010

I've been told diabetics should never take ibuprofen. I've also been told it's fine. Hmm.
What worries me is that they never warn you about the very serious risk of it causing stomach ulcers. Not the normal kind of ulcers that can be cured by antibiotics, rather the kind that basically destroy your stomach lining and leave you in debilitating pain for the rest if your life. If you really must take ibuprofen, ALWAYS eat just before you take it. If it's mixed up with food in your stomach it is less likely to stick to your stomach lining and cause permanent damage. I think this goes for alltablets to some extent, unless you are specifically told to take it on an empty stomach. It's just one of those things doctors never tell you when they prescribe things, like how you should always eat if you have to take emergency contraception otherwise you will puke and have to go back for more. I just wish they would tell you rather than waiting for you to work it out on your own!

Ardbeg · May 16, 2010

Thanks for the "heads up" Catherine.

Is there another anti inflammatory that we can use safely?

sugarless sue · May 16, 2010

badmedisin said:
I've been told diabetics should never take ibuprofen. I've also been told it's fine. Hmm.
What worries me is that they never warn you about the very serious risk of it causing stomach ulcers. Not the normal kind of ulcers that can be cured by antibiotics, rather the kind that basically destroy your stomach lining and leave you in debilitating pain for the rest if your life. If you really must take ibuprofen, ALWAYS eat just before you take it. If it's mixed up with food in your stomach it is less likely to stick to your stomach lining and cause permanent damage. I think this goes for alltablets to some extent, unless you are specifically told to take it on an empty stomach. It's just one of those things doctors never tell you when they prescribe things, like how you should always eat if you have to take emergency contraception otherwise you will puke and have to go back for more. I just wish they would tell you rather than waiting for you to work it out on your own!

When you are prescribed a medication ALWAYS read the patient information leaflet that comes with it !!

All the points that you have raised in the above post are in that leaflet. Doctors may not tell you these things through pressure of time etc but the information is there for the patient to read .

cugila · May 16, 2010

It should be noted that Ibuprofen is safe for most people, however if you have any of the conditions described in the Patient Information Leaflet then caution is advised, hence discuss with your GP or Pharmacist before taking. Diabetes is not listed as something which causes a problem.

Ardbeg.

Alternatives to Ibuprofen from the BNF59 prescribing information.

Ibuprofen is a propionic acid derivative with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. It has fewer side-effects than other non-selective NSAIDs but its anti-inflammatory properties are weaker. Doses of 1.6 to 2.4 g daily are needed for rheumatoid arthritis and it is unsuitable for conditions where inflammation is prominent, such as acute gout. Dexibuprofen is the active enantiomer of ibuprofen. It has similar properties to ibuprofen and is licensed for the relief of mild to moderate pain and inflammation.

Other propionic acid derivatives:

Naproxen is one of the first choices because it combines good efficacy with a low incidence of side-effects (but more than ibuprofen, see CSM comment below).

Fenbufen is claimed to be associated with less gastro-intestinal bleeding, but there is a high risk of rash (see under Fenbufen).

Fenoprofen is as effective as naproxen, and flurbiprofen may be slightly more effective. Both are associated with slightly more gastro-intestinal side-effects than ibuprofen.

Ketoprofen has anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen and has more side-effects (see also CSM advice below). Dexketoprofen, an isomer of ketoprofen, has been introduced for the short-term relief of mild to moderate pain.

Tiaprofenic acid is as effective as naproxen; it has more side-effects than ibuprofen (important: reports of severe cystitis, see CSM advice under Tiaprofenic acid).

Drugs with properties similar to those of propionic acid derivatives:

Azapropazone is similar in effect to naproxen; it has a tendency to cause rashes and is associated with an increased risk of severe gastro-intestinal toxicity (important: see CSM restrictions).

Diclofenac and aceclofenac have actions and side-effects similar to those of naproxen.

Etodolac is comparable in efficacy to naproxen; it is licensed for symptomatic relief of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Indometacin (indomethacin) has an action equal to or superior to that of naproxen, but with a high incidence of side-effects including headache, dizziness, and gastro-intestinal disturbances (see also CSM advice below).

Mefenamic acid has minor anti-inflammatory properties. It has occasionally been associated with diarrhoea and haemolytic anaemia which require discontinuation of treatment.

Meloxicam is licensed for the short-term relief of pain in osteoarthritis and for long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Nabumetone is comparable in effect to naproxen.

Phenylbutazone is licensed for ankylosing spondylitis, but is not recommended because it is associated with serious side-effects, in particular haematological reactions; it should be used only in severe cases by a specialist.

Piroxicam is as effective as naproxen and has a long duration of action which permits once-daily administration. However, it has more gastro-intestinal side-effects than most other NSAIDs, and is associated with more frequent serious skin reactions.

Sulindac is similar in tolerance to naproxen.

Tenoxicam is similar in activity and tolerance to naproxen. Its long duration of action allows once-daily administration.

Tolfenamic acid is licensed for the treatment of migraine.

Ketorolac and the selective inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase-2, parecoxib, are licensed for the short-term management of postoperative pain.

Ken

Dippy3103 · May 16, 2010

I have been taking ibuprofen for a few weeks for a really painful shoulder, combining it with paracetamol. It still hurts and this has convinced me that I should go to the dr about it.

britness · Aug 23, 2010

Hi, I've been reading with interest the comments about ibuprofen and Metformin and diabetes.

I'm on Metformin, twice daily, since May. For the past week, I've been taking ibuprofen for a sore knee (had an injury about 3 years ago and it's acting up again). But now I've been switched to Naproxen since the ibuprofen isn't making any difference for the pain - now I'm wondering, is this ill-advised!? Should I go back to discuss with my Dr? He's prescribed both the medications, the Metformin and the Naproxen, so he should know right!? LOL so confusing :?

mehdave · Aug 25, 2010

I was told to stop ibuprofen immediately when I got diagnosed with diabetes. Turned out they did me a favour as my kidneys are rubbish anyway see other thread lol. But now its totally no matter what do not take ibuprofen. Paracetamol just isn't the same though

Ibuprofen.

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Ibuprofen.

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