Ibuprofen: The ‘serious’ side effect which could signal ‘bleeding in your stomach’

This Morning: Dr Helen gives advice on mixing painkillers

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Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is widely used for its pain-relieving properties, especially when it comes to sore and achy joints. You can buy most types of ibuprofen from pharmacies and supermarkets, but there are certain medications that you should not mix it with, or you may experience unwanted side effects.

If taken orally, ibuprofen may cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, wind, or indigestion.

The NHS says these side effects occur in more than one in 100 people, and are therefore considered “common”.

Should you experience these side effects when taking ibuprofen, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Meanwhile, there are some “serious” side effects that warrant an immediate call to your doctor.

These include black poo or blood in your vomit. Indeed, black poo can indicate “bleeding in your stomach”.

Also notify your doctor immediately if your ankles swell, there is blood in your urine, or you are unable to urinate. Such issues are indicative of a kidney problem.

If there is any “severe” chest or stomach pain, it may be the result of a hole in the stomach or gut.

Ibuprofen may also lead to difficulty breathing, or asthma symptoms that become worse.

Call 999 or go to A&E if any of the following apply:

• You get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
• You’re wheezing
• You get tightness in the chest or throat
• You have trouble breathing or talking
• Your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling.

Side effects such as these are indicative of a serious allergic reaction that requires immediate treatment in hospital.

For a full list of possible side effects of ibuprofen, the leaflet inside the packet will detail them all.

It’s safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine, according to the NHS.

However, the health body warns that you should not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers such as aspirin or naproxen “without talking to a pharmacist or doctor” about this first.

Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is a medication used to reduce pain, fever, or inflammation.

Naproxen is a medicine that reduces inflammation and pain in joints and muscles. It’s used to treat diseases of joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Indeed, you should tell your doctor if you’re taking certain medicines before you start taking ibuprofen, according to the NHS.

These medicines include blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin, medicines for high blood pressure and steroid medicines such as betamethasone.

The same applies for some antibiotics, some antidepressants, and diabetes medicines such as gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide and tolbutamide.

“Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements,” says the NHS.

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