PARACETAMOL and ibuprofen are both used for treating pain and fever, proving particularly helpful in the case of a hangover. But can you take both together – is this more effective or is it in fact dangerous?
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https://briefnews.eu/paracetamol-and-ibuprofen-can-you-take-both-together-hangover-advice-this-festive-season/feed/0Can you take ibuprofen and paracetamol together? Use this method for fast pain relief
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CAN YOU take ibuprofen and paracetamol together? Both medications are used to treat pain and fever, but can taking both at the same time have a detrimental effect on a person’s health? Dr Thornber offers his recommendation for adults and children when it comes to treating pain relief.
]]>https://briefnews.eu/can-you-take-ibuprofen-and-paracetamol-together-use-this-method-for-fast-pain-relief/feed/0Chickenpox WARNING: Taking ibuprofen to relieve itchy spots ‘can make someone very ill’
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CHICKENPOX season is fast approaching meaning it’s more important than ever to recognise the spots and symptoms. Most cases require little or no treatment, and a vaccine can work as a preventative method. But a pharmacist is warning people of the dangers with administering ibuprofen.
]]>https://briefnews.eu/chickenpox-warning-taking-ibuprofen-to-relieve-itchy-spots-can-make-someone-very-ill-2/feed/0Chickenpox WARNING: Taking ibuprofen to relieve itchy spots 'can make someone very ill'
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Chickenpox is common, mostly affecting children, and it usually gets better by itself within a week without help from a GP.
Symptoms before or after the spots can include a high temperature above 38C, aches and pains, and generally feeling unwell, and loss of appetite.
Reaching for the medicine cupboard for anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen may seem like your first port of call to calm down spots and relieve itching.
But giving children with chickenpox ibuprofen puts them at increased risk of a deadly, flesh-eating disease, according to a leading pharmacist.
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Chickenpox warning: Taking ibuprofen to relieve itchy spots ‘can make someone very ill’
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Necrotising fasciitis is a serious bacterial infection that rots tissue underneath the skin and surrounding muscles and organs.
It can be life-threatening if it’s not recognised and dealt with in the early stages, turning small wounds into horrifying open sores.
And while the mechanisms are still not yet fully understood, giving ibuprofen to those suffering chickenpox – particularly children – means they’re at an elevated risk of contracting the condition, says one pharmacist.
Shamir Patel, director of online pharmacy Chemist-4-U.com says that while scientists have long known about the dangers, many parents are still unaware of the advice.
He’s now speaking out, as we approach peak chickenpox season, to highlight the potential side-effects.
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Chickenpox warning: Symptoms can include a high temperature and a loss of appetite
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Mr Patel explains: “When our children are poorly, many of us instantly reach for the liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen.
“But in the case of chickenpox, you should think twice before administering ibuprofen. And in my view there are many in the UK who are simply unaware of the threat.”
Ibuprofen is a drug that reduces inflammation by interrupting the normal chemical reactions that happen in the body during an infection, illness or injury.
Mr Patel adds: “The knock-on effect of this is that it helps reduce pain and high temperature.
“But there’s also another side effect, albeit one that’s thankfully rare.
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Chickenpox warning: Ibuprofen puts children at increased risk of necrotising fasciitis
“While more research is needed, and the precise reasons remain unknown at this point, studies have shown that using ibuprofen in the case of chickenpox may lead to an increased risk of a condition called necrotising fasciitis – a really horrible bacterial infection with a mortality rate said to be around 25 per cent.
“It’s likely that in reducing inflammation, ibuprofen also reduces the body’s ability to fight infections on the skin, allowing bacteria to infiltrate this vulnerability.
“Ibuprofen may also mask the signs of serious infection.
“My advice would be that if you absolutely have to use ibuprofen to treat a child with chickenpox, do so sparingly and only at the height of a fever.”
Chickenpox is characterised by an itchy bumpy rash and fever. It will usually resolve itself without the need for medical intervention.
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Chickenpox warning: Mr Patel suggests using cooling gels to relieve symptoms
Chemist 4 U’s Mr Patel adds: “In lieu of ibuprofen, there are cooling gels which help to relieve symptoms of the infection.
“When you protect the skin’s environment, you allow it to heal naturally. This can also reduce long-term scarring.”
Chickenpox vaccination is not part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme but it is available privately.
The NHS Choices website also advises against using ibuprofen in cases of chickenpox.
It states: “Don’t use ibuprofen – it can make someone with chickenpox very ill.”
]]>https://briefnews.eu/chickenpox-warning-taking-ibuprofen-to-relieve-itchy-spots-can-make-someone-very-ill/feed/0Misconceptions about ibuprofen have led to taking unsafe levels, researcher says
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A U.S. study that found many adults who use ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs take too much prompts concerns over the fact NSAIDs can be purchased over the counter.
]]>https://briefnews.eu/misconceptions-about-ibuprofen-have-led-to-taking-unsafe-levels-researcher-says/feed/0Small study suggests ibuprofen alters testosterone metabolism
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A new study is hinting that a common over-the-counter painkiller, ibuprofen, may be linked to a male reproductive disorder. While the study uses a pretty small sample of male subjects, it’s backed up by a set of consistent experiments from isolated cells, and earlier studies had hinted there might be something strange here.
The good news is that the problems required multiple weeks of constant ibuprofen use, so there’s no indication that handling the odd muscle ache or hangover with ibuprofen will cause problems. The bad news is the ibuprofen is one of a large class of related drugs that includes aspirin, and the likelihood that other drugs will have similar effects is high.
NSAIDs
Ibuprofen belongs to a group of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, or NSAIDs. This group includes aspirin, and it generally works by blocking the production of hormone-like signaling molecules called prostaglandins, thereby cutting down on pain and inflammation.
]]>https://briefnews.eu/small-study-suggests-ibuprofen-alters-testosterone-metabolism/feed/0Paracetamol and ibuprofen: How many painkillers can you take in ONE day?
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PARACETAMOL and ibuprofen are both popular painkillers. How many can you take in one day without overdosing?
]]>https://briefnews.eu/paracetamol-and-ibuprofen-how-many-painkillers-can-you-take-in-one-day/feed/0Best painkillers: When to take paracetamol or ibuprofen – how they work to reduce pain
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THE BEST painkillers are often considered to be ibuprofen and paracetamol. An expert explains how pain relief works.
]]>https://briefnews.eu/best-painkillers-when-to-take-paracetamol-or-ibuprofen-how-they-work-to-reduce-pain/feed/0Health warning: People who take ibuprofen for pain relief at greater risk
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The warning was issued yesterday by scientists during a conference in Barcelona on cardiovascular disease.
Delegates were told new research has revealed that ibuprofen – one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the world – increased blood pressure more than other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The over-the-counter tablet is often the choice for millions in the UK who suffer from the agony of arthritic pain every day.
Researchers at the University Heart Centre in Zurich studied a number of pain relief drugs, which included ibuprofen, naproxen and celecoxib and found a pronounced risk of increased blood pressure in the ibuprofen users, adding to the risk of heart disease and stroke.
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The study clearly demonstrates that NSAIDs, particularly ibuprofen, may be not as safe as previously thought
Frank Ruschitzka – Professor of cardiology
Investigator Frank Ruschitzka, professor of cardiology and head of the department at the centre in Switzerland, warned: “The study clearly demonstrates that NSAIDs, particularly ibuprofen, may be not as safe as previously thought.”
“Patients receiving ibuprofen had a 61 per cent higher incidence of de novo hypertension [high blood pressure] compared to those receiving celecoxib.”
Researchers had found that celecoxib produced a “slight decrease” in blood pressure while naproxen caused a “relatively small increase”.
They warned the findings would have the greatest clinical significance for the elderly, who have a high prevalence of arthritis and hypertension.
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Arthritis sufferers who take ibuprofen are at greater risk
Prof Ruschitzka advised: “Patients with osteoarthritis and arthritis should continue to consult their doctor before taking NSAIDs and clinicians need to weigh the potential hazards of worsening blood pressure control when considering the use of these agents.”
He said that since decreasing blood pressure by a small amount could lower both stroke and heart mortality by 10 per cent and seven per cent respectively, the findings were particularly significant.
In the UK, 10 million people suffer from arthritis with 8.5 million of these with the most common form, osteoarthritis, caused when the cartilage that cushions movement in the joints is worn away.
Currently around 400,000 people in Britain suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks the body’s joints.
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Currently around 400,000 people in Britain suffer from rheumatoid arthritis
The often crippling condition, which has no cure, causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in the joints.
It is typically diagnosed in people aged 40 to 70 and affects three times as many women as men.
Arthritis Research UK confirmed ibuprofen was taken by many sufferers but warned them of the dangers.
A spokesman said: “Longterm use of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, can increase the risk of problems with your heart or circulation, especially if you have other risk factors for these conditions.
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Therefore you shouldn’t take ibuprofen for long-term pain relief without seeing your doctor first and you shouldn’t take ibuprofen if you’re also being prescribed another type of NSAID tablet.”
Experts in heart disease, which remains Britain’s biggest killer and claims the lives of 155,000 people a year, also welcomed the new study.
Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said last night: “Patients and doctors must weigh up the risks and benefits of NSAIDs, particularly if you have another long-term health condition such as arthritis.
“Although not all of these drugs raise your blood pressure significantly, it’s important to have a discussion with your doctor about the best treatment for you.
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You shouldn’t take ibuprofen for long-term pain relief without seeing a doctor first
“Whether you are being prescribed painkillers like ibuprofen, or buying them over the counter, it’s important to be aware of the risks and you should always talk to your GP or specialist before you start taking any new medication.”
NSAID labels include warnings about potential increases in blood pressure but there is little data on the effects of individual drugs.
Researchers found that achieving blood pressure control in patients with arthritis could avoid thousands of deaths from stroke and coronary heart disease each year.
The findings were yesterday presented to the European Society of Cardiology conference in Barcelona.
]]>https://briefnews.eu/health-warning-people-who-take-ibuprofen-for-pain-relief-at-greater-risk-2/feed/0Health warning: People who take ibuprofen for pain relief at greater risk
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ARTHRITIS sufferers who take the drug ibuprofen for pain relief are at greater risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.