While you can continue taking ibuprofen for a few days, it's not recommended that you take it daily to relieve pain unless your doctor has prescribed it. Medications like ibuprofen can irritate your stomach lining and cause problems ranging from mild nausea to ulcers.
Essentially, ibuprofen can be of great utility for the treatment of inflammation and pain when used at safe doses and in the correct manner. The current recommendations for ibuprofen are to limit daily use to no more than 30 days.
Daily or long-term use has been linked to health risks, such as: Gastrointestinal damage: NSAIDs can damage the stomach lining, leading to issues like bleeding and ulcers. Heart attack and stroke: NSAIDs increase your risk of heart attack and stroke by increasing blood pressure.
adults – can usually take 1 or 2 tablets (200mg) every 4 to 6 hours, but shouldn't take more than 1,200mg (6 x 200mg) tablets in the space of 24 hours. children under 16 – may need to take a lower dose, depending on their age; check the packet or leaflet, or ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
Naproxen. Another anti-inflammatory drug, which works much like ibuprofen. Some studies show this may be a better choice than ibuprofen for people at risk for heart disease. Aspirin.
1. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements. These supplements may help fight several types of inflammation, including vascular inflammation.
Don't use an over-the-counter NSAID continuously for more than three days for fever, and 10 days for pain, unless your doctor says it's okay. Over-the-counter NSAIDs work well in relieving pain, but they're meant for short-term use.
People should avoid taking ibuprofen for arthritis every day without speaking to a doctor first. To treat flare-ups or short-term pain, a person can take 200–400 mg every 4–6 hours, for no longer than 10 days. A doctor may prescribe daily ibuprofen to treat chronic pain associated with arthritis.
Recommendations for long-term NSAID use
NSAID use is defined as chronic if these medications are taken more than three times a week for more than three months.
Typical signs and symptoms of NSAID overdose include nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, blurred vision and dizziness. Seizures are rarely documented across all NSAID classes, with the exception of mefenamic acid (where seizures occur in over one-third of cases), or following massive ingestion of other agents.
Ibuprofen can cause ulcers in your stomach or gut, especially if you take it as tablets, capsules, granules or liquid for a long time or in big doses. If you need to take ibuprofen and you're at risk of getting a stomach ulcer, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to help protect your stomach.
As a general rule, though, Dr. Morgan says most healthy people — those who don't have high blood pressure or gastrointestinal issues — can typically take ibuprofen on a limited basis to address minor aches and pains. “It's not without risk, but you can feel pretty safe taking it for about three days,” she says.
While you can continue taking ibuprofen for a few days, it's not recommended that you take it daily to relieve pain unless your doctor has prescribed it. Medications like ibuprofen can irritate your stomach lining and cause problems ranging from mild nausea to ulcers.
For osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: Adults and teenagers—1200 milligrams (mg) up to 3200 mg per day divided into three or four equal doses.
Over-the-Counter Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Never use an over-the-counter NSAID for more than 10 days without checking with your doctor. Over-the-counter NSAIDs are effective pain relievers, but they are intended for short-term use.
RICE method.
If you think your joint inflammation is due to a sudden injury, the RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method is the first line of treatment to reduce pain and swelling. See an orthopedist if the pain and swelling don't diminish after RICE treatment.
NSAIDs are not the only way to control muscle and joint pain. By deploying a range of remedies, you may be able to reduce your need for NSAIDs or even eliminate it. These add-ons to pain relievers include heat or cold, physical therapy, exercise, and weight loss—especially if the problem is arthritis.
Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, is a widely available alternative to NSAIDs that targets pain rather than inflammation.