It can cause symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal reactions to negative effects on the nervous system.
A 2021 report on the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) published by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Healthcare Products (AEMPS) shows that ibuprofen is the most consumed: 4 out of 10 containers sold It’s ibuprofen. This trend has declined since 2019 when mandatory prescribing of the 600 mg dose was introduced.
The key to avoiding possible adverse reactions is to keep the treatment duration as short as possible and to take no more than the recommended daily dose of ibuprofen: 2,400 mg for adults and 1,600 mg for adolescents (12-18 years old). People over 65, a group with a high proportion of patients taking multiple medications, must be particularly vigilant and follow medical prescriptions, which often indicate lower doses.
cardiovascular risk
In 2015, AEMPS warned of the risks of taking high doses of this drug in patients with cardiovascular risk factors and severe cardiovascular disease. Clinical trials have demonstrated that high doses of ibuprofen (equal to or greater than 2,400 mg/day) may increase the risk of arterial thrombosis.
gastrointestinal reactions
Gastrointestinal effects are the most common adverse effects after overdose of ibuprofen. The severity ranges from milder symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or flatulence to peptic ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding (more common in older patients). Exacerbations of previous conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease have also been described.
skin reaction
As in the previous cases, the extent and severity involved cover a range of adverse reactions that occur more or less. According to the information on the leaflet, a rash is most likely, while less common is redness, itching, swelling or purple spots on the skin.
Effects on immune and nervous systems
Although rare, exceeding the recommended daily dose may cause temporary skin edema, inflammation of the nasal mucosa, and even bronchospasm. In terms of effects on the immune system, severe allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock have also been described.
On the nervous system, the most common effects are fatigue, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, or a feeling of unsteadiness. As a more severe and rare condition, paresthesia may occur, a sensitivity disorder in which common symptoms are numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.