Ibuprofen/Advil

[kiik]

Hello everyone! So I've been having a flare-up for the past 1 1/2 weeks, and I was taking Advil around the clock that entire time to keep me going. Anyways, I just found out today (after becoming sicker and sicker) that Advil is terrible for your stomach.
Does anyone know what advil does, and what I can do to counter the effects of taking it all this time? I don't really have D issues, just fatigue and intense pain.
Thanks!

 

[katiesue1506]

Advil, Ibuprofen and NSAIDS are all processed in the stomach. They can cause ulcerations to the stomach lining due to this. There's no way to counter the effects, but you should switch to Tylenol/acetaminophen. Tylenol is processed in the liver.

 

[Manimation]

Yeah, Ibuprofen MESSED me up so bad a year ago. I was getting bad headaches and taking 4 at a time. All the while it was shredding my colon up apparently. I'd stay away from them and pretty much tylenol is our only option.

 

[saidinstouch]

It isn't that they are processed in the stomach, but that the inhibition of the cox (1 and/or 2) enzymes leads to a change in production of things like prostaglandins and leukotrienes and some other things. The problem is in the stomach, the resulting change in production leads to stomach ulcerations and bleeding. There probably are ways to counteract the effects using synthetic prostaglandins, but there is really no point if you stop taking the ibuprofen and switch to acetaminophen. You could make a flair worse or start a flair taking ibuprofen or other NSAIDS so it is best to avoid them unless you have no other choice.

If you are in severe pain and tylenol isn't working, then taking a small ibuprofen dose most likely won't be harmful, but that is really up to you and the risk you are willing to take. You have to know your body and decide how to manage the risk vs. the benefit. So basically what i am saying is Katie got all the important details right and this whole post was to point out a small and inconsequential change.

 

[Domsmom]

It isn't that they are processed in the stomach, but that the inhibition of the cox (1 and/or 2) enzymes leads to a change in production of things like prostaglandins and leukotrienes and some other things. The problem is in the stomach, the resulting change in production leads to stomach ulcerations and bleeding. There probably are ways to counteract the effects using synthetic prostaglandins, but there is really no point if you stop taking the ibuprofen and switch to acetaminophen. You could make a flair worse or start a flair taking ibuprofen or other NSAIDS so it is best to avoid them unless you have no other choice.

If you are in severe pain and tylenol isn't working, then taking a small ibuprofen dose most likely won't be harmful, but that is really up to you and the risk you are willing to take. You have to know your body and decide how to manage the risk vs. the benefit. So basically what i am saying is Katie got all the important details right and this whole post was to point out a small and inconsequential change.

Thanks for the info. I never knew that.

 

[katiesue1506]

saidinstouch-- You always come in and make my explanations more science-y... guess this is why I graduated in law and you in bio.... You are a bio grad aren't you? I feel like I remember you saying you were a grad student.

 

[saidinstouch]

Yeah, I'm getting a Ph.D in chemistry and chemical biology...but really that is just a fancy name for "biology". My real interest is in drug design and drug side effects. There are so many awesome drugs out there, but you look at the side effects and say "why would I want to take this drug, it sounds worse than the alternatives." Well my goal is to take information about the underlying biology and devise ways to improve drug side effect profiles with either a new, related drug or a secondary drug that targets the pathways leading to the side effects. Not sure if a lot of companies would be interested in such a patient centric view, but I think there is a lot of room for improving people's lives that way, which also means a lot of room for convincing the companies they can profit off of doing something in our (the patient's) best interest as well!

 

[Sue-2009]

Ibuprofen/and such

It isn't that they are processed in the stomach, but that the inhibition of the cox (1 and/or 2) enzymes leads to a change in production of things like prostaglandins and leukotrienes and some other things. The problem is in the stomach, the resulting change in production leads to stomach ulcerations and bleeding. There probably are ways to counteract the effects using synthetic prostaglandins, but there is really no point if you stop taking the ibuprofen and switch to acetaminophen. You could make a flair worse or start a flair taking ibuprofen or other NSAIDS so it is best to avoid them unless you have no other choice.

If you are in severe pain and tylenol isn't working, then taking a small ibuprofen dose most likely won't be harmful, but that is really up to you and the risk you are willing to take. You have to know your body and decide how to manage the risk vs. the benefit. So basically what i am saying is Katie got all the important details right and this whole post was to point out a small and inconsequential change.

Mmm...I'm not a scientist...But, arent there studies with Crohns that are with the Leuk-thingys? Some big steps? I don't understand it...but that is a buzz word right now in corhns (?) Saids a good informer...

 

[saidinstouch]

Not sure about the leukotrienes. I just recently learned about the biology involved in metabolizing ibuprofen and other cox inhibitors. It would be interesting to lookup though,

 

[Hope]

Hi Kiik!

My G.I. highly advised I never take advil, as It is really hard on the stomach and is not suitable for us with Crohns, as it may make your stomach bleed and cause further irritation to the intestines. I only take Tylenol if I really need it!

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

 

[Sue-2009]

Saids---U of M has some study...I wish I understood more, I was at a seminar last year...They found something I thought was those Leukotrienes...???? Sometimes, I think the blonde on my head is real! LOL How you feeling said....Love being married? I hope so...its been the bestest for me!

 

[saidinstouch]

The brief lookup I did seemed to indicate the Leukotriene B4 was upregulated in T-cell lymphocytes of crohns patients. It also seemed to indicate that the 5-ASA drugs inhibited the formation of inflammatory leukotrienes. Also, taking things with DHA and EPA (fish oil) help to prevent production of the pro-inflammatory members and stimulates production of the anti-inflammatory members of this whole family of compounds. Also, LT (leukotriene) E4 - LTE4 is possibly secreted in the urine of people suffering from IBD

Basically, it explains why the 5-ASA drugs are used and also why taking fish oil is a good idea. While the fish oil is somewhat controversial in who it works for, isn't that the case for almost every drug approved for us? With all the other health benefits...you'ld be crazy to not try and shift your fatty acid metabolism program to anti-inflammatory products rather than the pro-inflammatory ones.

 

[Nytefyre]

yeah, just like other posters, I haven't touched Ibuprofen/Advil, naproxin, or any nsaids for that matter, for years. But I used to pop advil and aleve like they were going out of style! Now, I don't even take acetaminophen unless it is in my pain meds. The amount used is ridiculous. I hear they are considering dropping the amount of acetaminophen in pain meds.

 

[Sue-2009]

saidsintouch! I am laughing myself on the floor. I swear...Whenever my mind sees scientific words...it turns into spaghetti...I think...what the heck did he just say?!!! Sue

 

[vince]

My doctor recommended ibuprofen, Anti inflammatory.

 

[saidinstouch]

saidsintouch! I am laughing myself on the floor. I swear...Whenever my mind sees scientific words...it turns into spaghetti...I think...what the heck did he just say?!!! Sue

Funny...I do the same thing when I'm reading papers!

Also, Vince...your doctor is wrong to recommend ibuprofen if you have crohns. While there is some interesting science linking cox2 inhibition to the potentiation of glucocorticoid effects in immune cells, the generally accepted rule from clinical observation is that nsaids are very bad for people with crohns.

 

[vince]

!

Also, Vince...your doctor is wrong to recommend ibuprofen if you have crohns. While there is some interesting science linking cox2 inhibition to the potentiation of glucocorticoid effects in immune cells, the generally accepted rule from clinical observation is that nsaids are very bad for people with crohns.

Would Tylenol be more recommended? I don't know you get 10 doctors in a hospital room and sometimes get 10 different opinions.

 

[saidinstouch]

In this case the doctor who says ibuprofen would be wrong . Yes, tylenol is the better choice, just don't take more than 4g worth of acetaminophen in a day or you can destroy your liver.