Ibuprofen SR general information
What is Ibuprofen SR used for?
Inflammation is your body’s response to injury and infection. It is a process that involves cells of the immune system and a range of chemicals that are produced to protect and heal the injured or infected tissues. Inflammation that lasts for a short time is acute inflammation, for example, following surgery, soft tissue damage, or infection and is usually painful. However, if inflammation persists, it becomes chronic inflammation, and this can cause further damage, for example, in chronic degenerative joint diseases. In some cases, the immune system becomes destructive against the body’s tissues, and these autoimmune diseases also cause inflammation and pain. Ibuprofen SR tablets 800mg are used to treat acute and chronic inflammation to reduce pain and relieve symptoms of inflammation.
Symptoms of inflammation
Vascular changes are the first stage of the inflammatory response when small blood vessels dilate (widen) and become more permeable (leaky). This allows proteins and blood cells into the tissues to fight invading pathogens, remove dead tissue, and promote healing. These changes result in swelling and redness, and heat is generated by increased blood flow. Pain is caused by chemicals produced by inflammatory cells, and these chemicals, such as prostaglandins, also induce fever. Various conditions can cause symptoms of inflammation.
Joint diseases
Chronic degenerative joint diseases include rheumatoid arthritis (including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) and osteoarthritis (wear and tear). Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the spine and pelvis and can cause fusion of the spine.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory joint disease where the synovial membrane becomes inflamed. The joint (synovium) forms a protective lining over the joints. When it becomes inflamed, it thickens, causing swelling and pain in the joints. Eventually, the cartilage and bone becomes damaged and can cause deformities.
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that becomes more common with increasing age. Osteoarthritis, known as wear and tear, can also develop as a result of a joint injury, infection, or due to being overweight. Cartilage covers and protects the ends of the bones in an articular joint. Gradual erosion and disintegration of cartilage exposes the underlying bones and leaves them unprotected. They rub against each other, which causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness, and restricts the movement of that joint. Osteoarthritis is most common in the knees and hips but can also occur in the fingers and spine.
Soft tissue injury
Soft tissue injury is also known as soft tissue rheumatism, which is an umbrella term for injury or damage to tendons, ligaments, or muscles. These tissues also include the bursa, which are fluid-filled sacs surrounding joints that protect the tissues of the joints from friction. Soft tissue injuries include tissues within joints such as the synovial lining of the joint surfaces, cavities, and the joint capsule. Also, the fibrous tissue that attaches to the surface of bone in an articular joint.
Soft tissue injuries include sprains and strains due to trauma, such as sports injuries. Overuse of a particular part of the body can cause tendinitis, which is inflammation of a tendon resulting in swelling around the elbow or knee. Tennis elbow is an example of a sports injury caused by overuse of the elbow tendons. Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendon sheath, which is the membrane around a tendon that allows it to stretch. Bursitis is inflammation around the bursa and is most common in the shoulder, elbow, and hip. Frozen shoulder is an example of inflammation of a joint capsule. A soft tissue injury can also cause bruising in the underlying tissues.
Other uses
Ibuprofen SR tablets 800mg are also used to relieve pain following dental surgery and to reduce fever (pyrexia) caused by an infection. Symptoms of pyrexia include high fever, chills, shivering, aching all over, and sweats.
Primary dysmenorrhoea or painful periods is caused by the overproduction of prostaglandins by the lining of the uterus during menstruation. These prostaglandins cause contractions of the uterine muscle, which is the mechanism that expels the uterine lining during menstruation. Overproduction can result in increased contractions with muscle cramps and menstrual pain.
How does Ibuprofen SR work?
Ibuprofen SR tablets 800mg contain Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has antirheumatic (reduces pain and inflammation in joints), anti-inflammatory (reduces general inflammation), analgesic (pain-relieving) and antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties.
Ibuprofen works by inhibiting the action of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). The COX enzyme is critical in the pathway for synthesis of chemicals called prostaglandins (PG), which are cellular messengers that mediate many cellular processes.
There are two forms of COX enzyme, CO-1 and COX-2. COX 1 is constitutively produced by most cells of the body and is involved in many normal cell functions like protecting the stomach lining by promoting cell growth and regulating acid secretion. COX-2 is induced during the inflammation process and results in the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins, particularly PGE2. Ibuprofen SR tablets 800mg is a non-specific COX inhibitor and blocks the production of both COX-1 and COX-2.
Inhibition of COX-2 blocks the production of PGE2 and relieves symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. However, inhibition of COX-1 can cause gastrointestinal side effects that are due to inhibition of protective prostaglandins and disruption of acid regulation. Ibuprofen SR tablets 800mg are formulated for slow, sustained release so that the ibuprofen is released gradually into the bloodstream and is, therefore, effective over a longer period at stable levels.
What does Ibuprofen SR contain?
Ibuprofen SR tablets 800mg contain the active ingredient ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to treat pain and inflammation of joint diseases and other inflammatory conditions.
What are the side effects of Ibuprofen SR?
Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone. Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking Ibuprofen SR, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician.
Common side effects when taking Ibuprofen SR include upset stomach or stomach pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, bloating wind, heartburn, indigestion, constipation, rash, headache, dizziness, fatigue. More serious but less common side effects include gastric ulcers and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
When should Ibuprofen SR not be used?
Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Ibuprofen SR so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it. There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Ibuprofen SR you should consider the following before taking Ibuprofen SR:
- Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Ibuprofen SR?
- Are you allergic to diclofenac, aspirin or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)?
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Do you have any problems with your kidneys or your liver?
- Do you have a history of stomach ulcer or bleeding?
- Do you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease?
- Do you have severe heart failure or a condition that increases the risk of bleeding?
- Do you have asthma or have you had an asthma attack when taking diclofenac, aspirin or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)?
- Are you taking any other NSAID or aspirin?
What medications interact with Ibuprofen SR?
Some medicines interact with Ibuprofen SR and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Ibuprofen SR or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician. These may include aspirin or other NSAIDs, diuretics like frusemide, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, anticoagulants like warfarin, lithium for mood disorders, SSRI antidepressants, digoxin for heart failure, corticosteroids for inflammatory conditions, the herbal extract Ginkgo biloba, the immunosuppressants tacrolimus and cyclosporine, aminoglycoside antibiotics, methotrexate for cancer treatment.
If other medications may interact with Ibuprofen SR, your doctor will discuss these with you.
How should Ibuprofen SR be taken and for how long?
You should take your Ibuprofen SR tablets 800mg swallowed whole with a glass of water once daily in the early evening before going to bed and after a meal. The dose you take depends on your condition and your doctor’s recommendation. Your dose may be reduced or increased depending on any side effects you may experience and how well you respond. You should continue to take your Ibuprofen SR tablets 800mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, several weeks or longer, depending on what you are being treated for.
Missed dose of Ibuprofen SR
If you miss a dose of Ibuprofen SR tablets 800mg, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.
How should Ibuprofen SR be stored?
You should store your Ibuprofen SR tablets 800mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.