Ibuprofen "has different effects depending on posture"? The truth is...

Ibuprofen became popular, and the medicine box became popular too.

In the past two days, short video netizens have "perfectly restored" various ibuprofen packaging box patterns in short videos, which brought laughter to people while also confusing everyone: the diagrams on the ibuprofen packaging boxes have different movements, do they represent different therapeutic effects?

In this regard, Kang Zhen, deputy director of the National Licensed Pharmacist Development Research Center of China Pharmaceutical University, pointed out that ibuprofen capsules/tablets are mainly used to reduce fever, while ibuprofen sustained-release capsules/tablets are mainly used to relieve pain, especially muscle pain caused by exercise.

However, some medical experts have given different opinions.

According to Southern Metropolis Daily, Wu Junyan, director of the Department of Pharmacy at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, told reporters that the domestic instructions for use of ibuprofen extended-release dosage forms such as extended-release capsules also include antipyretic indications. Indications that can be written into the instructions must be verified by clinical trials before they are approved .

The difference between sustained-release dosage forms such as sustained-release capsules (such as Fenbid) and ordinary dosage forms is that they take longer to take effect, and it takes about 5.1 hours to reach the maximum antipyretic effect, but compared with ordinary tablets, they last longer, so generally only need to be taken twice a day, while ordinary dosage forms are taken 3-4 times a day. Therefore, if you need to reduce the fever quickly due to high fever, you should not choose sustained-release capsules .

In addition, the dosage specifications of drugs from different manufacturers are different. It is recommended to refer to the drug instructions when taking the drug. It should be noted that the daily dose for adults should not exceed 1.2g.

In addition, the actions shown in the diagrams on the ibuprofen packaging are different and have nothing to do with the efficacy of the drug . These action patterns are only to remind the drug of its antipyretic and analgesic effects and deepen the public's impression of the product. The specific indications are shown in the instructions.

Before taking ibuprofen to reduce fever

This knowledge must be understood

Qiu Kaifeng, deputy director of the Department of Pharmacy of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, and Wang Jinghao, deputy director of the Department of Pharmacy of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, once introduced the precautions when using ibuprofen in an interview with Guangzhou Daily.

Qiu Kaifeng introduced that ibuprofen belongs to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can reduce the synthesis of prostaglandins by inhibiting cyclooxygenase. Once prostaglandins are reduced, the inflammatory response will be alleviated, so ibuprofen can produce analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. On the other hand, fever is affected by the body temperature regulation center of the hypothalamus, and ibuprofen can act on the body temperature regulation center to reduce fever.

Please pay attention to the following points before taking ibuprofen.

1. Ibuprofen is not suitable for everyone

Qiu Kaifeng pointed out that if you suffer from renal insufficiency, hypertension, heart failure, gastrointestinal ulcers, asthma, hemophilia or other bleeding diseases including coagulation or platelet dysfunction, you should not take medicine on your own, but should consult a doctor and pharmacist first.

Ibuprofen should not be used by infants under 6 months old, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and patients with active gastrointestinal ulcers.

When people over 60 years old use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the risk of serious cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal adverse reactions is higher than that of young people, so people over 60 years old should also use ibuprofen with caution. Hypertensive patients may aggravate their condition after taking the drug, so they should also use it with caution.

2. Do not use ibuprofen to reduce fever for more than three days

Qiu Kaifeng reminded that special attention should be paid when taking ibuprofen. When used as a fever-reducing drug, it should only be used for a short period of time and should not be used continuously for more than 3 days. When used for pain relief, ibuprofen should not be taken continuously for more than 5 days.

If the above symptoms are not relieved during medication, you need to consult a doctor or pharmacist for details.

3. Don’t use ibuprofen and acetaminophen alternately

Some parents use ibuprofen and acetaminophen alternately to reduce their children's fever in order to reduce their fever faster. Domestic guidelines do not recommend the alternating use of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Qiu Kaifeng pointed out that there is a lack of relevant guidelines or consensus on how much dosage and how long the interval should be when alternating between two different antipyretic drugs, which may cause adverse reactions and easily lead to drug overdose.

4. Do not take antipyretics and compound cold medicines at the same time

Wang Jinghao reminded that antipyretic drugs should not be used at the same time as common cold medicines such as Tylenol, Baijiahei, etc., nor should they be used at the same time with some Chinese cold medicines.

He pointed out that the current cold medicines are all compound medicines, often containing acetaminophen, such as children's acetaminophen granules, acetaminophen tablets, acetaminophen dry suspension, etc. Ganmaoling granules and Qiangli Ganmao tablets also contain acetaminophen.

Therefore, before taking cold medicine, you need to carefully read the drug instructions and check the drug ingredients to avoid taking medicines containing acetaminophen at the same time, which may lead to overdose or accumulation and drug toxicity and side effects.

5. Don’t drink alcohol after taking antipyretics or cold medicines

Wang Jinghao said that no matter what medicine you take, it is recommended not to drink alcohol. Especially when taking acetaminophen and ibuprofen, do not drink alcohol, as drinking alcohol will increase the burden on the liver and lead to liver failure. Drinking or smoking while taking ibuprofen may also increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

6. Don’t drink beverages immediately after taking ibuprofen

Some people drink coffee, cola, juice, etc. immediately after taking ibuprofen. Qiu Kaifeng suggested that when taking medicine, unless otherwise specified in the instructions, you should try to use warm water and do not take it with other medicines or food to avoid affecting the efficacy of the medicine or causing adverse reactions.

7. If the elderly have gastrointestinal or kidney problems, they can choose acetaminophen

Qiu Kaifeng reminded that among the antipyretics, acetaminophen is the most likely to cause liver damage. When used in excess of the daily dose, liver damage is very likely to occur. However, if the elderly have gastrointestinal or kidney problems, a history of ulcers or inflammatory bowel disease, etc., it is best to choose acetaminophen.

Source: Comprehensive Southern Metropolis Daily, People's Daily Health Client, Guangzhou Daily