Is it safe to take ibuprofen for the aches and pains of exercise?

Follow me on Twitter @RobShmerling Not long ago, I took ibuprofen after a dental procedure and was amazed at how well it worked. Millions of people have had similar experiences with ibuprofen and related medications (called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs) when used for a number of conditions, including arthritis, back pain, and headache. That’s why NSAIDs are among the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide. More than a dozen different NSAIDs are available, including naproxen (as in Naprosyn or Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren) and indomethacin (Indocin). Aspirin is also an NSAID, though it is usually taken in small doses for its blood thinning effects (to prevent heart attack or stroke) rather than for pain. NSAIDs are fairly safe, but not risk free The safety profile of NSAIDs is generally quite good, especially when taken in small doses for short periods of time. That’s why several of them, including ibuprofen and naproxen, are available in low doses over the counter in this country and elsewhere. However, as is true for any drug, NSAIDs can cause trouble. Upset stomach, intestinal bleeding, and cardiovascular problems are among the most important and widely recognized side effects. But, the list is longer than that; an important item on that longer list is kidney injury. Most of the time, NSAID-related kidney problems develop in people who already have kidney disease or who take other medications that can affect kidney function. H...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Drugs and Supplements Exercise and Fitness Health Kidney and urinary tract Source Type: blogs