Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for relief of a number of symptoms such as toothache, headache, and menstrual pain. As it is widely available as an “over the counter” drug in pharmacies and supermarkets and does not require a prescription, many people believe that it is safe to take whenever an unwelcome symptom strikes.
However, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs should be used with extreme caution, and ideally be avoided entirely, in patients who take anticoagulants or who suffer from heart failure, since these drugs have been shown to increase the risk of side-effects such as heart attack and stroke, bleeding from the gut, and worsening heart failure symptoms.
When taking medication for pain relief the general consensus is that a patient should take the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time, and consult a doctor if the pain is particularly severe and/or lasts more than a couple of days. Patients in heart failure or those taking an anticoagulant should speak to a pharmacist about alternative over the counter drugs to help with their symptoms, or make an appointment to see their GP for a prescription medication with a safer side-effect profile.