Ibuprofen is a famous painkiller used by millions of people worldwide to ease a range of aches and pains, such as back pain, menstrual cramps, toothache, headache, and many others.
Most people take this drug without incurring any health problems. However, some groups should think twice about taking it. New research claims that combining it with certain medications could result in permanent kidney damage.
Computer Simulation Shows How Ibuprofen Interacts With Certain Medications
Researchers at the University of Waterloo warn against using ibuprofen with diuretics and renin-angiotensin system (RSA) inhibitor because it causes acute kidney injury, Science Daily reported. Diuretics and RSA inhibitors are commonly prescribed together for people with high blood pressure and are available under various pharmaceutical brand names.
The team used computer-simulated drug trials to model the interaction between the three drugs and how they could impact the kidneys. Researchers found that people in certain medical profiles could develop acute kidney injury when the three medications are combined.
Professor Anita Layton said that the study provides evidence that people taking these drugs should exercise caution as it causes detrimental side effects based on the computer simulation. Researchers have been using mathematics and computer science to give health practitioners a head start in understanding drug complications.
Layton explained that diuretics are drugs that make the body hold less water, which is a major factor in acute kidney injury. Taking three medications at once would trigger RAS inhibitor and ibuprofen to adversely affect the kidneys and cause damage. The team recommends using a different type of painkiller for those people who happen to be on these high blood pressure medications.
The team discussed their findings in full in their study, titled "Determining risk factors for triple whammy acute kidney injury," published in the journal Mathematical Biosciences.
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Who Can Take Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is a painkiller that can be bought without a prescription. According to the National Health Service (NHS) Inform, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to ease mild to moderate pain, control fever, and alleviate inflammation and swelling.
The said drug could come in many forms, including tablets, capsules, syrups, gels or creams, and sprays. Some ibuprofen products are combined with other ingredients to treat other ailments and are sold as a cold and flu remedy.
Although it seems harmless, not anyone can take it mindlessly. Ibuprofen is not advisable for those who have an allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs. It's also not recommended for those with a stomach ulcer, severe heart failure, and liver disease, and those who take low-dose aspirin to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Moreover, people with asthma, kidney or liver problems, lupus, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, history of stomach bleeding, high blood pressure, peripheral arterial disease, cardiovascular diseases, and history of stroke should be careful in taking ibuprofen.
Lastly, ibuprofen is not recommended for pregnant women unless prescribed by their doctor. Paracetamol is the commonly recommended alternative to ease short-term pain or reduce high temperature.
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