You swallow them, and the pain soon goes away or hurts less. But what happens after you take a pain reliever? It doesn't go directly to your shin or head, even though that's the spot that hurts so much.
Pain relievers work with your cells, your body's nerve endings, your nervous system , and your brain to keep you from feeling the pain. Your body is full of nerve endings in your skin and tissues. Some of these nerve endings can sense pain, like from a burn or a blow to a body part like your friend's foot hitting your shin. When cells in your body are injured or damaged, they release chemicals called prostaglandins say: pross-tuh-GLAN-dinz.
The special nerve endings that sense pain are very sensitive to this chemical. When prostaglandin is released, the nerve endings respond to it by picking up and transmitting the pain and injury messages through the nervous system to the brain.
They tell the brain everything about the pain, like where it is and how much it hurts. Ibuprofen reduces pain , fever , swelling , and inflammation by blocking the production of cyclooxygenase COX -1 and COX The body releases these substances in response to illness and injury. If a person takes ibuprofen by mouth, they should notice the effects after 20—30 minutes. People can take ibuprofen by mouth as a syrup or tablet.
They can also apply it directly to the skin as a mousse, gel, or spray. Uses include :. Some medications, such as decongestants , have ibuprofen added to create, for example, a combined cold or flu remedy.
Other products combine ibuprofen with opioids, such as oxycodone. These are for short-term use only, as they can result in misuse. The most common adverse effects of ibuprofen are gastrointestinal. They include:.
Ibuprofen is not suitable for people who have previously had an allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs or who have just had or are going to have heart surgery. People who are already using any type of medication should ask a healthcare professional for advice before taking ibuprofen. In , the Food and Drug Administration FDA strengthened its warning about the increased risk of heart attack or stroke when using ibuprofen. Side effects can arise within the first weeks of using this drug.
The risk may be greater with a higher dose or long-term use or if a person has a history of heart disease. The FDA calls on people to be aware of this possible problem and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience chest pain , difficulty breathing , sudden weakness in one part or side of the body, or sudden slurred speech. A person should consult a doctor or qualified pharmacist if they are unsure about whether to use ibuprofen.
People should stop using ibuprofen and contact a doctor if they experience:. Allergic symptoms include :. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may occur, and a person will have difficulty breathing. This is life threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
People should not use ibuprofen at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later, as it could lead to low levels of amniotic fluid. A person should seek guidance from a healthcare professional before using any medication during pregnancy or when nursing. Experts do not generally consider ibuprofen to be a medication that will lead to substance use disorder , although at least one case study suggests this is possible.
Adults can take a dose of OTC ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours. When taking ibuprofen, be sure not to exceed the maximum daily dosage or to take it for more than 10 days. Dosing for children depends on body weight. Ibuprofen may not be recommended if you have certain health conditions or are taking specific medications. If you have questions or concerns about taking ibuprofen, speak with your doctor.
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Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.
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