This Is What Happens If You Take Ibuprofen on an Empty Stomach, According to Doctors

Nosotros've been there: a bad headache hits and we're apt to achieve for some meds - only to remember we oasis't eaten anything lately and information technology's not wise to take pills on an empty stomach. Simply is it really such a big deal?

Stomach upset is among the most commonly reported side furnishings of ibuprofen. "The FDA advises ibuprofen be taken with food or milk in patients who have experienced stomach upset with this medication in the past," said Joshua Russell, MD at Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care.

Ibuprofen, like aspirin and naproxen (among other medications), is a blazon of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). "These medications can seriously damage the lining of the stomach," Dr. Russell said.

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Information technology has long been believed that nutrient tin aid "absorber" the stomach from these effects, however, evidence of this has been largely anecdotal. "That being said, if y'all feel mild stomach upset when taking ibuprofen or other NSAIDs, it is worth trying to have the medication on a full stomach to come across if it helps reduce discomfort," Dr. Russell advised.

When taken for the occasional headache, doses of less than 1,600 mg of ibuprofen over two to three days with or without food are generally well-tolerated in otherwise good for you people with a low risk of side effects. Long-term use of ibuprofen, however, carries substantial take chances of kidney harm and breadbasket ulcers/abdominal bleeding. "Acetaminophen is generally a safer alternative to ibuprofen (when taken co-ordinate to the package instructions) if you are having tum upset or are needing to take a medication for pain for longer than a week or 2," Dr. Russell said. If y'all are experiencing a new, painful status, information technology is always wisest to discuss your symptoms with a healthcare provider rather than just taking an over-the-counter pain medication, as hurting may be a symptom of a more dangerous health condition.

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Often, nonetheless, the benefits of OTC or prescribed medications outweigh the possible side effects, and some doctors think it's not even something we should really worry near that intensely. "Information technology is a myth for the well-nigh part that ibuprofen should not exist taken on an empty stomach. Because the serious side furnishings of ibuprofen, which include tummy ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, heart attacks, or stroke, are a event of systemic (postabsorptive) non 'local' effects of ibuprofen," said Dr. Tawseef Dar, an internist based in New York Urban center.

In other words, it may not matter if you take it with or without food, as information technology is going to go absorbed into the blood anyway. "And for that matter, fifty-fifty intravenous NSAID medications cause similar side effects. Commonly these side effects occur if the patient takes these medications repeatedly. Nonetheless, patients with history of gastrointestinal bleeding, recent heart attacks, or featherbed surgery should totally avoid these medications," Dr. Dar said.

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But it's often improve to err on the side of caution and just have a snack before taking any medication, just in instance. "Taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach may cause irritation of the stomach lining and bleeding ulcers," said South Florida-based cardiologist Dr. Adam Splaver of Nanohealth Assembly. "This holds true for all other NSAIDs as well every bit aspirin, which may reduce the stomach lining's ability to protect itself from the harsh acid produced to aid in the digestive process," he said.

"While these bug should be weighed with caution, you should consider speaking to a doctor or trained medical professional if your hurting or fever last more than 48 hours, as this may exist a sign of a more than serious matter," he added.