NHS ‘call 111 or GP’ ibuprofen alert – what to look out for

Most types of ibuprofen can be accessed without prescription

NHS inform is highlighting when people may need to contact their GP or dial 111 after using ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen is available in various forms including tablets, capsules, liquid and granules. It’s commonly used to relieve mild to moderate pain, such as toothache, to manage fevers, and to reduce inflammation and swelling. Most types of ibuprofen can be purchased from supermarkets or pharmacies, although certain types require a prescription. Regardless of which form of ibuprofen you’re using, you should always read and follow the instructions on the label or leaflet.

Typical side effects of ibuprofen include nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, indigestion, stomach pain, diarrhoea, and constipation. NHS inform advises you should speak to a GP or contact 111 if someone has used ibuprofen and:

• they continue to experience pain
• they have a high temperature that doesn’t improve
• their symptoms worsen
• their symptoms persist for more than three days
• they feel unwell

People who should avoid ibuprofen

You shouldn’t take ibuprofen if you’ve ever experienced a severe reaction to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or if you have a stomach ulcer, or have suffered from one previously. You should also avoid ibuprofen if you’ve been using low-dose aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease, or if you have severe heart failure or severe liver disease.

Ibuprofen should be “used with caution” if you’re 65 or older, breastfeeding, or suffer from asthma, lupus, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, high blood pressure, kidney or liver issues, narrowing of the arteries (peripheral arterial disease), or any heart problems, such as angina, heart attacks, or mild or moderate heart failure. The same applies if you’ve previously had a stroke.

If you have any concerns about taking ibuprofen, you should consult a pharmacist. You can also contact your GP surgery or ring 111.