In case you use Motrin for a longer period or take higher doses or if you have heart ailments Motrin can increase your risk of stroke or fatal heart attack. Consuming this medication just before or after heart bypass surgery (CABG or coronary artery bypass graft) is strictly prohibited.
Intestinal or stomach bleeding which can be fatal may also be caused by Motrin. These conditions can occur suddenly when using ibuprofen particularly in older adults.
How Effective is Motrin?
Motrin as it is commonly known is an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Motrin effectively works by decreasing the hormones in the body, which causes pain and swelling.
Motrin is used for effectively reducing fever and treating inflammation or pain in the body caused due to various conditions like toothache, headache, menstrual cramps, arthritis, back pain or minor injury.
Motrin is used in children and adults who are above 6 months old.
Before Taking Motrin
Never take this medicine just before/after CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) heart bypass surgery.
Motrin might also cause intestinal or stomach bleeding that can be deadly. These problems may occur suddenly when using Motrin particularly in older adults.
Do not use Motrin if you have allergy to ibuprofen or if you have previously had bad allergic reaction or an asthma attack after consuming an NSAID or aspirin.
In order to ensure consuming Motrin is safe for you consult your pharmacist or doctor if you have the following:
- High (B.P) blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol or if you are a smoker;
- A record of stroke, heart attack or blood clot;
- A record of bleeding or stomach ulcers;
- Asthma;
- Kidney or liver disease;
- Liquid retention; or
- A connective tissue disease like Sjogren’s syndrome, Marfan syndrome or lupus.
Intake of Motrin during the last 3 months of pregnancy might be harmful to the unborn child. Never use Motrin if you are carrying without your doctor’s advice.
It is unclear if Motrin could affect a nursing child by passing through breast milk. If you are breast-feeding, consult your doctor in prior to taking this medicine.
Never give Motrin to a baby lesser than 2 years without your doctor’s advice.
What are the Side Effects of Motrin?
You need to get urgent medical help if you have any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction to Motrin like runny, sneezy or stuffy nose; breathing trouble or wheezing; hives; inflammation in your lips, face, throat or tongue.
You need to get urgent doctor help if you have symptoms of stroke or heart attach: pain in your chest travelling to your shoulder or jaw, sudden weakness or numbness on one part/side of the body, swelling of leg, shortness of breath, slurred speech.
Stop the intake of Motrin and contact your doctor immediately if you have the following severe side effects of Motrin:
Vision changes;
Breathing difficulty;
Inflammation or quick increase in weight;
The first symptom of any rash in the skin, even if it is mild;
Stomach Bleeding Signs- tarry or bloody stools, coughing up vomit or blood similar to coffee grounds;
Problems In Liver- pain in the upper abdominal pain, nausea, tired feeling, itching, appetite loss, flu-like symptoms, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin), dark urine, clay-colored stools;
Problems In Kidney- no or little urination, inflammation in your ankles or feed, tiredness, difficult or painful urination or difficulty in breathing;
Anemia or Low Red Blood Cells- Lightheadedness or shortness of breath, pale skin, concentrating trouble, rapid heart rate; or
Bad Skin Reaction – inflammation in your tongue or face, fever, burning of eyes, sore throat, and pain in the skin followed by a purple or red skin rash which spreads particularly in the upper body or face and causes peeling and blistering.
General side effects of Motrin may include:
- Mild heartburn, stomach upset, vomiting, nausea;
- Constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating;
- Headache, dizziness, nervousness;
- Rash or mild itching; or
- Ringing (sensation of hearing buzzing, ringing, hissing, whistling or other sounds) in your ears is also a side effect of Motrin.
What are the Other Drugs That Affect Motrin?
Consult your doctor in prior to using Motrin if you take an antidepressant like escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline (Zoloft), vilazodone or trazodone. Consuming any of these medications along with an NSAID might cause you to bleed or bruise easily.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use Motrin if you are also using any of the following drugs:
Enquire to your pharmacist or doctor if it is safe for you to use Motrin in case you are also using any of the following drugs:
- Methotrexate;
- Lithium;
- A blood thinner like warfarin, jantoven, coumadin;
- Heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or “water pill”;
- Steroid medicine such as prednisone.