Health Centres - Brufen (ibuprofen)
How does it work?
Brufen tablets, granules, syrup and Brufen retard sustained-release tablets all contain the active ingredient ibuprofen, which is a type of medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). (NB. Ibuprofen is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Ibuprofen is a simple painkilling medicine used to relieve mild to moderate pain, inflammation and fever.
Ibuprofen works by blocking the action of a substance in the body called cyclo-oxygenase (COX). Cyclo-oxygenase is involved in the production of various chemicals in the body, some of which are known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced in response to injury and certain diseases and conditions, and cause pain, swelling and inflammation. NSAIDs block the production of these prostaglandins and are therefore effective at reducing inflammation and pain.
Ibuprofen also reduces fever by reducing the production of prostaglandins. Fever is associated with an increase in prostaglandins in the brain, and these prostaglandins cause the body temperature to increase. By reducing prostaglandins in the brain, ibuprofen lowers body temperature and hence reduces fever.
Ibuprofen reduces inflammation and related pain and so can be used to relieve muscular and rheumatic aches and pains. It can also be used to relieve other painful conditions such as headaches, migraine, toothache, nerve pain (neuralgia) and period pain. It is also useful for reducing fever, and Brufen syrup can be used for reducing fever in children.
Brufen retard tablets are sustained-release tablets. They are designed to release the ibuprofen slowly and continuously over a few hours to provide prolonged pain relief. These tablets must be swallowed whole to avoid damaging the sustained-release action.
Brufen should preferably be taken with food to avoid irritating the stomach.
What is it used for?
- Relief of other mild to moderate pain including rheumatic and muscular pain, pain following surgery, backache, migraine, headache, toothache, period pain.
- Brufen syrup can be used for reducing fever in children over one year of age.
Warning!
- All forms of Brufen should preferably be taken with food to avoid irritating the stomach.
- Brufen granules should be dissolved in water before taking. Brufen retard tablets should be swallowed whole with plenty of water. They should not be broken or chewed as they are sustained-release tablets, which means they release the ibuprofen slowly over time. Breaking the tablets stops the sustained release action working.
- Do not exceed the dose prescribed by your doctor.
- The minimum effective dose should be used for the shortest time necessary to relieve your symptoms. If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
- Ibuprofen is generally well-tolerated and most people do not experience any side effects. The most common side effects are related to stomach irritation and include abdominal pain, indigestion and nausea. These can mainly be avoided by taking the ibuprofen with food. Rarely, serious side effects such as ulceration or bleeding in the stomach or intestines may occur. These are more likely with high doses and in elderly people. If you experience any sign of bleeding from the stomach or bowels after taking this medicine, for example vomiting blood and/or passing black/tarry/bloodstained stools, you should stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor immediately.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as this one may be associated with a small increase in the risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke. Any risk is more likely with high doses and prolonged treatment. If you have heart problems, have ever had a stroke, or think that you might be at risk of these conditions (for example if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or are a smoker) you should discuss your treatment with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Very rarely, NSAIDS may cause serious blistering or peeling skin reactions (eg Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis). For this reason, you should stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor if you get a skin rash or sores inside your mouth while taking this medicine. This side effect is very rare, but if it occurs, is most likely to happen in the first month of treatment.
- If you have cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure or kidney disease, you are taking diuretic medicines, or you are recovering from major surgery, your kidney function should be assessed before starting and regularly throughout treatment with this medicine.
- During long-term treatment with this medicine you should have regular check-ups with your doctor so that you can be monitored for possible side effects of the medicine. This might include routine blood tests to monitor your kidney function, liver function and levels of blood components, particularly if you are elderly.
Use with caution in
- Elderly people.
- History of disorders affecting the stomach or intestines.
- Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
- Kidney disease.
- Liver disease.
-
Heart failure.
-
High blood pressure.
-
Chest pain caused by poor blood flow to the heart .
- History of stroke or mini-stroke.
- Diabetes.
-
High cholesterol levels.
- Smokers.
- People with blood clotting problems or taking anticoagulant medicines.
- History of asthma.
- History of allergies.
- Diseases affecting connective tissue, eg systemic lupus erythematosus.
Not to be used in
- People in whom aspirin or other NSAIDs, eg ibuprofen, cause allergic reactions such as asthma attacks, itchy rash (urticaria), nasal inflammation (rhinitis) or swelling of the lips, tongue and throat (angioedema).
- Active peptic ulcer or a history of this.
- Severe heart failure.
- Brufen granules and Brufen retard are not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
- Brufen tablets and syrup are not recommended for children weighing less than 7kg.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. This is particularly important in the first and third trimesters. If taken in the third trimester it may delay labour, increase the length of labour and cause complications in the newborn baby. Some evidence suggests that NSAIDs should also be avoided by women attempting to conceive, as they may temporarily reduce female fertility during treatment and may also increase the risk of miscarriage or malformations. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine may pass into breast milk, but in such small quantities that it is unlikely to harm the baby. However, as with all medicines, seek medical advice from your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Label warnings
- Take this medication with or after food.
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