Did you know that people with Lupus should think twice before taking ibuprofen, a popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)?
Also known as Motrin® or Advil®, ibuprofen helps with relieving fevers, reducing stiffness and pain from inflammation.
While it sounds perfect for us Lupus sufferers with joint pain and inflammation, ibuprofen can be problematic for the following reasons:
- Many of us are hypersensitive to it. In fact some of us, like me, may have an all out allergy to it. Within minutes of taking it, I broke out in hives, had swelling of my face, and trouble breathing.
- We are more susceptible to its side effects. These include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, ulcers, and dizziness.
- If you have Lupus nephritis, it can worsen your kidney problems.
- If you take Coumadin or baby aspirin for Lupus-related blood clotting issues, it can cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
- It has been linked to drug-induced aseptic meningitis, a rare condition that causes a stiff neck, severe headache, fever, and confusion due to inflammation of brain and spinal cord tissues.
So, before taking ibuprofen, Lupus Foundation of America recommends discussing your choice of pain reliever with your doctor first.
Ibuprofen and Lupus
Sources:
Lupus Foundation of America: http://www.lupus.org/answers/entry/which-medications-and-herbal-supplements-should-be-avoided
The Cleveland Clinic: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/transcripts/1464_what-you-need-to-know-about-lupus
MyLupusTeam: http://www.mylupusteam.com/treatments/motrin
Photo: Photo via Photopin (license)
***
What are your thoughts about taking ibuprofen? Have you had any adverse experiences after taking it? Please share your story with us. The more we share about our experience with Lupus, the more we know—together….
