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Generic
Motrin
Brand
Name: Ibuprofen
Most
Common Medical Uses
Ibuprofen
is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs). Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation
and pain in the body. Ibuprofen is used to reduce the fever, pain,
inflammation, and stiffness caused by many conditions, such as osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, and abdominal cramps associated with menstruation.
Ibuprofen may also be used for purposes other than those listed
here.
How
to Take This Medication
Take
ibuprofen exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand
these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain
them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take ibuprofen
with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
Possible
Side Effects
If
you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking
ibuprofen and seek medical treatment or call your doctor immediately:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); muscle cramps,
numbness, or tingling; ulcers (open sores) in the mouth; rapid weight
gain (fluid retention); seizures; black, bloody, or tarry stools;
blood in your urine or vomit; decreased hearing or ringing in the
ears; jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or abdominal cramping,
indigestion, or heartburn. Other, less serious side effects may
be more likely to occur. Continue to take ibuprofen and talk to
your doctor if you experience dizziness or headache; nausea, gaseousness,
diarrhea, or constipation; depression; fatigue or weakness; irregular
menstrual periods. Side effects other than those listed here may
also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems
unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Precautions
Before
taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have an allergy
to aspirin or any other NSAIDs, have an ulcer or bleeding in the
stomach, drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, have liver
or kidney disease, have a coagulation (bleeding or blood clotting)
disorder, have congestive heart failure, have fluid retention, have
heart disease, or have high blood pressure. You may not be able
to take ibuprofen, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed
above. It is not known whether ibuprofen will harm an unborn baby.
Ibuprofen should not be taken late in pregnancy (the third trimester)
because a similar drug is known to affect the baby's heart. Do not
take ibuprofen without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Ibuprofen passes into breast milk in very small amounts, however
it is not expected to harm a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor before
taking ibuprofen if you are breast-feeding.
Drug
Interactions
Other
prescription and over-the-counter drugs may increase the effects
of ibuprofen and cause dangerous side effects. Tell your doctor
if you are taking any of the following drugs: another nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis
KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox), diclofenac (Voltaren,
Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen
(Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone
(Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril),
or tolmetin (Tolectin); aspirin or another salicylate (form of aspirin)
such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline salicylate, and magnesium
salicylate; a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide
(HCTZ, HydroDiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone
(Thalitone), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide
(Lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone), and amiloride (Midamor); an
anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin); a steroid such as prednisone
(Deltasone); an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol)
or glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta); or lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid,
others). Talk to your doctor before taking ibuprofen if you are
taking any other medicines, especially any of the ones listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with ibuprofen.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
Missed
Dose
Take
the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose
of this medication. Wait the prescribed amount of time before taking
your next dose.
Storage
Store
at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep this and all
medications out of the reach of children.
Notes
Remember,
keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children,
never share your medicines with others, and use this medication
only for the indication prescribed.
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