Ibuprofen gegen Schmerzen und Entzündungen

About ibuprofen

Anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen are also called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or sometimes just 'anti-inflammatories'. Ibuprofen is used to treat painful conditions such as arthritis, sprains and strains, period (menstrual) pain, migraine headaches, dental pain, and pain after surgical operations. It eases pain and reduces inflammation. Ibuprofen can also be used to relieve cold and 'flu-like' symptoms including high temperature (fever). It can be taken by adults and by children over the age of 3 months.

Ibuprofen works by blocking the effect of natural chemicals called cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes. These enzymes help to make other chemicals in the body, called prostaglandins. Some prostaglandins are produced at sites of injury or damage, and cause pain and inflammation. By blocking the effect of COX enzymes, fewer prostaglandins are produced, which means pain and inflammation are eased.

Ibuprofen is available on prescription, and you can also buy a number of preparations which contain ibuprofen without a prescription at pharmacies and other retail outlets.

Ibuprofen is also available as a gel which can be applied directly to your skin to help relieve muscle and joint pain - there is more information about this in a separate medicine leaflet called Ibuprofen gel for pain relief.

Before taking ibuprofen

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking ibuprofen, it is important that your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist knows:

• Wenn Sie schon einmal ein Magen- oder Zwölffingerdarmgeschwür hatten, oder wenn Sie eine entzündliche Darmerkrankung wie Morbus Crohn oder Colitis ulcerosa haben.

• Wenn Sie unter Asthma oder einer anderen allergischen Erkrankung leiden.

• Wenn Sie schwanger sind, ein Kind erwarten oder stillen.

• Wenn Sie Probleme mit der Funktionsweise Ihrer Leber haben oder wenn Sie Probleme mit der Funktionsweise Ihrer Nieren haben.

• Wenn Sie ein Herzleiden oder ein Problem mit Ihren Blutgefäßen oder Ihrem Kreislauf haben.

• Wenn Sie unter hohem Blutdruck leiden.

• Wenn Sie Probleme mit der Blutgerinnung haben.

• Wenn Sie einen hohen Blutzucker- oder Cholesterinspiegel haben.

• Wenn Sie eine Bindegewebserkrankung wie den systemischen Lupus erythematodes haben. Dies ist eine entzündliche Erkrankung, die auch Lupus oder SLE genannt wird.

• Wenn Sie andere Arzneimittel einnehmen. Dazu gehören alle Arzneimittel, die Sie einnehmen und die rezeptfrei erhältlich sind, sowie pflanzliche und ergänzende Arzneimittel.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other NSAID (such as aspirin, naproxen, diclofenac, and indometacin), or to any other medicine.

How to take ibuprofen

• Before you start taking ibuprofen, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about ibuprofen and will provide you a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• The usual dose for adults and children of 12 years of age or more, is 200-400 mg of ibuprofen three or four times daily if needed. The dose will be different to this, however, if you have been prescribed a tablet which releases ibuprofen slowly (called a modified-release tablet) - these tablets are usually taken only once a day, or sometimes twice a day.

• There are several different brands of tablets and capsules available, so always remember to check the label of the pack to make sure you are taking the recommended amount.

• If you are giving ibuprofen liquid medicine to a child, the dose you will need to give depends on your child's age. Check the label on the medicine bottle carefully to make sure that you are giving the correct amount for the age of your child. The following children's doses are provided as a guide (using 100 mg/5 ml ibuprofen oral suspension):
  

  • 3-5 months: 50 mg (2.5 ml) three times daily.

  • 6-11 months: 50 mg (2.5 ml) three or four times daily.

  • 1-3 years: 100 mg (5 ml) three times daily.

  • 4-6 years: 150 mg (7.5 ml) three times daily.

  • 7-9 years: 200 mg (10 ml) three times daily.

  • 10-11 years: 300 mg (15 ml) three times daily.

• Ibuprofen is best taken with food. This will help to protect your stomach from side-effects such as indigestion.

• If you have been prescribed a modified-release form of ibuprofen (Brufen Retard® brand), swallow the tablet or capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or break the tablets.

• If you have been prescribed a sachet containing ibuprofen granules (Brufen® Effervescent Granules), mix the contents of the sachet into a glass of water to make a fizzy drink. Drink it straightaway after mixing it.

• Wenn Sie die Einnahme einer Dosis vergessen haben, nehmen Sie sie ein, sobald Sie sich daran erinnern, es sei denn, die nächste Dosis ist fällig. Wenn die nächste Dosis fällig ist, nehmen Sie die fällige Dosis ein, lassen aber die vergessene Dosis aus. Nehmen Sie nicht zwei Dosen zusammen ein, um eine vergessene Dosis auszugleichen.

Das Beste aus Ihrer Behandlung herausholen

• Your doctor will try to prescribe you the lowest dose for the shortest time to reduce the risk of side-effects. If you need to take ibuprofen for a long time, your doctor may want to prescribe another medicine along with it to protect your stomach from irritation. If you have bought ibuprofen 'over the counter', take it as a short course of treatment - you should stop taking it once the painfulness or the high temperature (fever) has gone.

• Try to keep any regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress, and is especially important if you are taking ibuprofen for a long-term condition.

• If you have asthma, symptoms such as wheeze or breathlessness can be made worse by anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen. If this happens to you, you should stop taking ibuprofen and see your doctor as soon as possible.

• There is known to be a small increased risk of heart and blood vessel problems in people taking some anti-inflammatory painkillers, particularly if taken long-term. If you are concerned about this, speak with a healthcare professional for more information. If you are prescribed ibuprofen, your doctor will prescribe the lowest suitable dose for the shortest time in order to reduce the risk. If you have purchased ibuprofen, do not take more than the recommended dose.

• If you buy any medicines, always check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take with any other medicines you are taking. Also, do not take ibuprofen with any other anti-inflammatory painkiller, some of which are available in cold and flu remedies which can be bought 'over the counter'.

• Wenn Sie sich einer Operation oder einer zahnärztlichen Behandlung unterziehen müssen, teilen Sie der behandelnden Person mit, welche Arzneimittel Sie einnehmen.

Can ibuprofen cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with ibuprofen. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you experience any of the following less frequent but possibly serious symptoms, stop taking ibuprofen and contact your doctor for advice straightaway:

• Wenn Sie Atembeschwerden wie Keuchen oder Atemnot haben.

• If you have any signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling around your mouth or face, or an itchy skin rash.

• Wenn Sie Blut oder schwarzen Stuhlgang haben, Blut ausspucken (erbrechen) oder starke Bauchschmerzen haben.

Some studies have shown that ibuprofen may increase the risk of developing serious skin infections when used in children with chickenpox. Therefore, paracetamol is usually recommended in chickenpox and ibuprofen should not be used.

Wenn Sie andere Symptome haben, von denen Sie glauben, dass sie auf das Arzneimittel zurückzuführen sind, sprechen Sie mit Ihrem Arzt oder Apotheker, um weiteren Rat zu erhalten.

Wie man Ibuprofen aufbewahrt

• Bewahren Sie alle Arzneimittel außerhalb der Reichweite und Sichtweite von Kindern auf.

• An einem kühlen, trockenen Ort aufbewahren, vor direkter Hitze und Licht schützen.

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