Ibuprofen 400
General
Ibuprofen is offered in a dosage of 400mg per tablet and is therefore called "Ibuprofen 400" on the packaging.
The strength of 400mg / tablet does not require a prescription (without a prescription).
Nevertheless, the doctor should be consulted in the event of prolonged use.
application areas
Ibuprofen is used for Pain relief and Anti-inflammatory at:
- acute joint inflammation (also with Attack of gout),
- in chronic Joint inflammation (especially with so-called rheumatoid Joint inflammation (chronic Polyarthritis)),
- in inflammatory rheumatic diseases of the Spine,
- in inflammatory soft tissue rheumatic diseases and in painful swellings and inflammations after injuries.
Ibuprofen 400 for a cold
Ibuprofen has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects. All of these symptoms can occur with a cold. Therefore, ibuprofen can be used for colds. However, it only fights the symptoms and not the disease itself. So if you take ibuprofen when you have a cold, you may feel better, but you won't get well any faster. The general dosage recommendations also apply in the event of a cold.
In addition, when combining with other cold medication, care must be taken that they do not already contain a pain reliever of any kind. The combination of several pain relievers could lead to an overdose. Caution should therefore be exercised when taking so-called combination preparations, which usually contain pain relievers, caffeine and vitamins. Read the table of contents carefully!
Ibuprofen 400 for a sore throat
Because of its pain relieving properties, ibuprofen can be taken for a sore throat. The general dosage recommendations apply. Often, however, lozenges, tea with honey and a thick scarf help without having to accept the side effects of ibuprofen. If the pain becomes very severe, a low dose of 200 mg for adults and 100 mg for children can be sufficient.
Ibuprofen 400 for a fever
Ibuprofen is an antipyretic drug. Ibuprofen is very suitable for adults. Depending on the severity of the fever, the exact dose can be adjusted individually. However, the recommendations for the single and the maximum daily dose should not be exceeded. In addition to ibuprofen, paracetamol is also ideal for children. It also has an antipyretic effect and has fewer side effects than ibuprofen for the little ones.
Ibuprofen for cystitis
Ibuprofen can relieve pain that occurs as part of a bladder infection. Of course, this is purely symptomatic therapy. So the actual cause of the bladder infection is not addressed. However, this is not always necessary, as the latest studies have shown.
Bladder infections are caused by bacteria. Therefore, one intuitively thinks of an antibiotic as the drug of first choice. In many cases, however, it is sufficient to treat the symptoms, such as pain and the urge to urinate. Because even without antibiotics, 2/3 of those affected will quickly recover. And that without the risks of antibiotic therapy. Of course, ibuprofen can also be taken in addition to an antibiotic. However, if you have a fever or other serious symptoms, you should see a doctor. As always, the exact dose of ibuprofen can be adjusted individually, but the individual and daily dose should not be exceeded.
dosage
The dosage of ibuprofen depends on age, weight, and the severity of the pain. Depending on which other drugs are taken by the person being treated, these can also have an influence on the exact dosage. Ibuprofen 400 contains 400 mg of active ingredient per tablet. The maximum daily dose for self-medication for ibuprofen is 1200 mg for adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with a body weight of at least 40 kg. This corresponds to three 400 mg tablets spread over the day. No more than 200-400 mg should be taken as a single dose, i.e. ½ to 1 tablet.
On medical advice, the daily dose for adults can be increased to 2400 mg. Children between ten and 12 years of age with a weight between 30-39 kg can take up to 800 mg or four half tablets a day, but not more than 200 mg per single dose. Children between the ages of six and nine who weigh between 20 and 29 kg can take up to 600 mg ibuprofen per day and up to 200 mg per single dose. If a child's weight and age are between two of the three categories, you can use the weight as a guide. The reason is that from a pharmacological point of view, the dose per kilogram of body weight is the more relevant factor than age. However, children under the age of six should never take ibuprofen, regardless of the dose.
The dosage is independent of the type of pain. That means, regardless of whether it is a toothache, backache or headache, the recommendations for dosage should not be exceeded. It is always advisable to start with a low dose and increase it accordingly if there is no improvement. Depending on the manufacturer and additives in the respective preparations, the recommendations for dosage may vary slightly. It is worth taking a look at the package insert.
Why is Ibuprofen 400 available without a prescription and 600/800 not?
Ibuprofen 400 is a common pain reliever that is inexpensive for the individual and has relatively few side effects, which is why it is available without a prescription. Ibuprofen 600 and 800, on the other hand, are potentially more dangerous and the occurrence of side effects more likely due to their higher dosage alone. In addition, overdoses can occur more quickly if the active ingredient dose is higher from the start. To prevent this, and since the higher dosage is of course a bit more expensive, ibuprofen 600 and 800 require a prescription.
Basically, whether a drug requires a prescription is decided in Germany on the basis of the drug prescription regulation. Prescription-only means that a drug can only be bought in a pharmacy upon presentation of a doctor's prescription. Several factors influence the decision as to whether a drug is available without a prescription or only. First of all, it is crucial what kind of medication it is and how often and to what extent side effects occur. From a political and economic point of view, it also plays a role how important the drug is for the person being treated in order to be able to live well and healthily. Most over-the-counter medications are not covered by statutory health insurance. If it is medically and pharmacologically justifiable, taking into account possible side effects and the need for a drug, it is sold without a prescription. This relieves the health insurance companies financially, which means that expensive drugs can then, in turn, be financed by the insurance companies in order to relieve the individual insured.
Special patient groups
Ibuprofen in children
Of the Active ingredient content from 400mg / tablet is too high a dose for children and adolescents under 15 years of age, which is why ibuprofen 400 is not indicated at this age. For the age group under 15 years there are lower ibuprofen supplements on the market.
Ibuprofen in the elderly
Straight Side effects how Bleeding and gastric or intestinal perforations are being treated with in elderly patients non-steroidal Anti-inflammatories how Ibuprofen frequently observed.
These side effects can life threatening Careful and regular monitoring is therefore necessary, especially in older patients, when using medication non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is carried out.
Ibuprofen during pregnancy and breastfeeding
in the first and second In the third trimester of pregnancy, ibuprofen may also be used in pregnant women last third of the pregnancy it is increased based on study results Danger urgently to avoid child development!
During the Lactation is up to now however no increased risk has been identified for mother or child when ibuprofen is ingested. In general, however, it should be borne in mind that prolonged use of medication is not harmless, even during breastfeeding, and then weaning should be considered.
Contraindications
Not taken may be Ibuprofen, when a allergy against one of the components of the tablet.
Further Contraindications for ibuprofen are:
- unexplained blood disorders
- previous or existing Stomach ulcers
- previous or existing ulcers of the duodenum
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Gastrointestinal perforation related to pain relievers
- Cerebral hemorrhage
- active bleeding
- severe liver problems
- severe kidney problems
- heavy Heart failure (Heart failure)
- in the last trimester of pregnancy
Interactions
Before taking ibuprofen, it should be excluded that any of the following other drugs are taken, as otherwise there may be interactions between the drugs:
If ibuprofen and digoxin, phenytoin, lithium are taken at the same time, the effect of these drugs can be increased, which is why regular monitoring of the serum lithium level is necessary, especially with lithium. It is also advisable to check the serum digoxin and serum phenytoin levels when ibuprofen is taken at the same time.
If you take dehydrating and antihypertensive drugs (diuretics and antihypertensive drugs) at the same time as ibuprofen, ibuprofen can weaken their effect. Ibuprofen also weakens the effect of ACE inhibitors and, in this combination, increases the risk of kidney dysfunction.If a potassium-sparing dehydration drug (diuretic) is used in parallel with ibuprofen, this leads to an increase in the potassium level in the blood, which can lead to serious side effects (cardiovascular system!).
The risk of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding is increased if other anti-inflammatory and pain relievers from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or glucocorticoids are taken at the same time as ibuprofen.
Acetylsalicylic acid and certain antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors / SSRIs) taken with ibuprofen can also increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. The thrombocyte aggregation-inhibiting effect of ASA, on the other hand, is reduced by ibuprofen.
If ibuprofen is taken within 24 hours before or after methotrexan, this leads to an increased concentration of methotrexate in the blood, which in turn can lead to an increased likelihood of its adverse effects occurring.
If ibuprofen is taken together with ciclospoprine A, there may be an increased likelihood of a kidney-damaging effect.
The excretion of ibuprofen is delayed by taking medication containing probenecid or sulfinpyrazone (for gout) at the same time. This increases the effectiveness of ibuprofen, but also increases the likelihood of undesired drug effects from ibuprofen (side effects).
Taking ibuprofen may increase your anticoagulant properties with agents such as warfarin, phenprocoumon, and heparin.
There can also be interactions between sulfonylureas and ibuprofen, so regular checks should be carried out here.
If ibuprofen is taken together with tacrolimus, there may be an increased risk of kidney damage.
Zidovudine and ibuprofen in combination cause an increased risk of bleeding in the joints and bruising in HIV-positive haemophilia patients (bleeding).
Alcohol and ibuprofen
Alcohol consumption is during treatment with ibuprofen too avoid!
Please also read our very extensive topic: Ibuprofen and alcohol - are they compatible?
How and how long you take ibuprofen
Ibuprofen should be provided with plenty liquid (e.g. a glass of water) can be swallowed whole. The ingestion takes place on NOT empty stomach and should be done during meals, especially if the stomach is sensitive.
Duration and dose from Ibuprofen should urgently with one doctor Unless otherwise prescribed, the dosage for patients over 15 years of age is as follows:
- Single dose: 1 -2 tablets (i.e. 400 - 800mg ibuprofen)
- Maximum daily dose: 3 - 6 tablets (i.e. 1200 - 2400mg ibuprofen)
- The individual dosage is dependent on Age and body weight.
Side effects
The possible adverse drug reactions listed below (Side effects) it should be noted that they are predominantly dose dependent and vary from patient to patient.
The most common side effects concern the Digestive tract.
Stomach / duodenum-Ulcers (peptic ulcers), Perforations (Breakthroughs) or Bleeding, sometimes fatal, are possible, especially in the elderly. nausea, Vomit, diarrhea, Flatulence, constipation, Indigestion, abdominal pain, tarry stool, vomiting blood, ulcerative stomatitis, exacerbation of Colitis and Crohn's disease have occurred while taking ibuprofen. Became less frequent Inflammation of the stomach lining observed. Especially the risk for the occurrence of Gastrointestinal bleeding depends on the dose range and the duration of use.
Edema, high blood pressure and Heart failure have been observed in association with ibuprofen use.
Medicines like "Ibuprofen AL 400 film-coated tablets"May be associated with a slightly increased risk of heart attacks ("Heart attack") or Strokes.
