Pain Management Using Ibuprofen

 

Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug. Meaning it helps reduce pain in the body. It blocks the production of cells called prostaglandins. These are the cells that create pain after an injury or make our muscles inflamed. It is taken as a pill, and for children, it comes in liquid form.

The most common name for Ibuprofen is Advil. Advil is given for fevers, headaches, menstrual cramps and other pain in the body. Another name Ibupfrofen is known for having is Motrin. Advil and Motrin are just companies that produce and sell Ibuprofen. There are other companies that sell Ibuprofen such as Costco and Shoppers Drug Mart.

Ibuprofen generally comes in a few different strengths, 200mg, 400mg and 800mg and there are different types depending on the brand such as Advil Liqui-Gels, Advil Extra Strength or Advil Cold and Sinus. It is important to read the packaging to make sure that the dosage and reason for use are correct. The maximum dose for daily use is 1.2 grams, although, with a prescription, the maximum dose from a doctor is 3.2g daily.

Ibuprofen can be dangerous when mixed with other medications, these medications include some types of antidepressants for mental illness, certain levels of alcohol, and at times acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is also known as Tylenol and it has similar uses to Ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen was discovered in 1961 in the United Kingdom. In 1969 use in the UK began and it spread to the rest of the world in the 1970s. At this time the use was prescription only, so it was not available on store shelves. Doctors had to prescribe it in order for it to be used. By 1984 the lower doses that are seen on shelves were considered over the counter and no prescription was needed.

Sources:

Bushra, R., & Aslam, N. (2010, July). An overview of clinical pharmacology of Ibuprofen. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3191627/ 

Ibuprofen. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ibuprofen?src=search-dict-hed 

Moon, E. (2020, February 03). How Does Ibuprofen Actually Work? Retrieved from https://elemental.medium.com/how-does-ibuprofen-actually-work-eb296f179f43

Omudhome Ogbru, P. (2020, February 12). Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) Side Effects (Alcohol), Uses, Dosage & Pregnancy Safety. Retrieved from https://www.medicinenet.com/ibuprofen/article.htm

Rainsford, K. D. (2012). Ibuprofen: Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Side Effects. doi:https://doi-org.libproxy.mtroyal.ca/10.1007/978-3-0348-0496-707/978-3-0348-0496-7

The hangover that led to the discovery of ibuprofen. (2015, November 15). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/health-34798438