Here's some info on Ibupropen I'd like to hear some comments on:
My doctor wants me to limit my ibupropen because of fear of kidney damage. Sure enough, i can point you to dozens of posting from newspapers and reputable web sites that repeat that warning. But sometimes, ibupropen is the only thing that controls my pain.
So , digging down in Google, I finally found this:
"All NSAIDs can produce a variety of adverse effects on the kidney. While there is little threat of renal insult with NSAIDs in normal, healthy individuals, risks may be increased in the elderly, in those who are dehydrated, and in those with underlying renal disease. The risk of certain types of renal toxicity may increase with the dose and duration of NSAID use.
Almost three decades of postmarketing experience with prescription-strength ibuprofen in the United States and worldwide, during which over 100 billion doses have been administered, has shown the [reporting] frequency of renal side effects to be low. Post marketing experience with non-prescription ibuprofen confirms its safety in the general population. Safety data from controlled clinical trials add further assurance that non-prescription doses of ibuprofen are well tolerated by the kidneys.
The foregoing publicly-available information has been extracted from the original Citizens Petition to request monograph status for ibuprofen (July 1997), and two updates (through 2001). The published OTC experience of ibuprofen during the past 18 years is consistent with a very safe profile with respect to the renal system. Despite the National Kidney Foundations first consensus statement published in 1984, a more recent statement in 1996, and a public FDA feedback meeting on the subject, the dire renal consequences which were forecasted with the OTC availability and use of ibuprofen have not materialized. When used as directed, the potential of OTC ibuprofen to cause renal problems is extremely low. "
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/02/briefing/3882b2_04_wyeth-ibuprophen.htm
and while the Kidney people warn against it, the Cystic Fibrosis people recommend it:
There has been some concern that ibuprofen can cause kidney damage. This can occur, but it is unlikely. Scientists know that ibuprofen decreases blood flow to the kidneys and slows down the kidneys ability to clear out other drugs. Your CF doctor may need to adjust the doses of other drugs you or your child are taking. Other side effects are more unusual or less severe. Ask your CF doctor about these other side effects of ibuprofen.
http://www.cff.org/treatments/Therapies/Respiratory/Ibuprofen/
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)There's evidence that ibuprofen changes kidney function, and theories that these changes could cause problems, but studies on real populations haven't shown this IIRC, and as your research indicates. You might want to show the concensus statement to your doc, those tend to carry weight.
But chronic ibuprofen use does seem to increase the incidence of cardiovascular problems. You and your doc might want to consider naproxen, another NSAID, that's not as powerful but seems to not have cardiovascular complications in moderate doses.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)I posted this mostly because the first 50 or so links that pop up will tell you that Ibuprofen is hard on the kidneys. As you say, in rel life, it hasn't emerged. I will say, I would be cautious with any medication in someone with a fever (esp. a child) who may also be dehydrated. I think what we have here is an original report that Ibuprofen might be bad for the kidneys in certain situations that got simplified to a simple bad for the kidneys and passed around from place to place for years. If you've read The Big Fat Surprise or Good calories, Bad Calories, you've seen this same phenomenon regarding dietary advice.
(I have tried Naproxon, but for me, a lower dose of Ibuprofen is a lot more effective. )
dixiegrrrrl
(60,011 posts)I have learned that for my body, a very effective short term pain reliever is Toradol
There are several meds like Toradol which act on the opioid receptors of the brain, I have tried them but my body responds best to Toradol.
For "normal" aches and pains, aspirin is effective
for definite joint pain, Meloxicam really works.
So I alternate, depending on what the day and weather are doing to my body.
The most important thing I learned was to make sure to take them all with food and lots of water.
And the doc orders lab work to check on the kidneys and such as appropriate.