Always take the medicine in the dosage prescribed by the GP. In a case of any doubts, consult the GP or pharmacist. Like other medicines, Ibuprofen has some side effects. However, not all people get them. Consult the doctor immediately and stop taking the medicine in case you observe blood in faeces (motions/stools), black, tarry stools, and blood or vomit/dark particles like coffee. You may also experience sour stomach, bloating, abdominal pain, belching, decrease in urine-concentrating, cloudy urine, difficult bowel movement, diarrhoea, excess gas or air in intestines or stomach, heartburn, itching skin, indigestion, pain in throat, chest or upper stomach. Some people on the medication might notice nausea, passing frequent gas, pale skin, rattling breathing, rashes due to flat lesions and swelling in feet, fingers, hands, ankles, face or lower legs. Few people can face problem in breathing with exertion, troubled breathing during rest, unusual bruising or bleeding, weight gain, and tiredness. A number of less common side effects include stomach discomfort and soreness, and abdominal cramps. Rarely, people may notice allergic reactions like shock, stiff neck, disorientation, fever and stomach problems (peptic ulcer). Stop taking the medicine and seek immediate medical attention in case you experience these or any other unusual side effects following the use of the medicine.

Ibuprofen is suitable for elderly, adults and children aged 12 and above. To start with, you can take one or two tablets with water, mainly with or after meals. This dosage has to be followed by one or two tablets in every four hours, for three times a day. You should not consume more than six tablets, within a time frame of 24 hours. You should never be on a longer dose of the tablet than 10 days, unless prescribed by the GP. The GP would prescribe the dose based on the severity of the condition. You should take the dose for a short duration of time and discontinue the use when your pain is relieved. In a case of any uneasy symptoms, always rush to the nearest medical care for immediate attention. A usual dose for pain in adults is 200 to 400 mg by mouth every six hours. Doses over 400mg do not give additional or fast relief. The patient should be well-hydrated if a dose of 400 to 800 mg Ibuprofen is to be administered intravenously. In a case of fever, the usual dose for adults is 200 to 400 mg orally, in every four or six hours. Ibuprofen may impact the fertility. However, this effect is reversed when the course of treatment is stopped. Therefore, consult the GP in case you are trying to get pregnant.

Ibuprofen is extremely useful in relieving fever, pain and inflammation. It is antipyretic and analgesic in nature. Ibuprofen works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, an enzyme involved in prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandins are compounds that have hormone-like effects in the human body. They increase the body temperature to make it sensitive to pain. The inhibition of the enzyme interrupts the synthesis of the prostaglandins. It thus helps relieve muscle cramps, headache, toothache, back pain and pain in case of arthritis, menses or any small injury. Constant use of Ibuprofen may slightly increase the risk of stroke or heart attack. The level of risks is elevated with prolonged treatment and high dosage. If you smoke, had a stroke or might risk conditions like high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure then discussing the treatment prior with a GP will be helpful in preventing certain health conditions. You must seek medical advice if you are already taking other medicines, especially anti-coagulants (medicines which prevent clotting/thin blood) such as warfarin, ticlopidine, and aspirin. If you are suffering from hives or asthma, avoid the medicine during initial six months. Some medical conditions like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, connective tissue disorders, or Crohn's disease can worsen with the use of Ibuprofen.