The 5 dangerous side effects of ibuprofen – from stomach bleeds to fertility issues

IBUPROFEN is used to treat pain and doesn’t need a prescription, meaning it’s pretty easy to get your hands on.

But recent studies suggest these drugs can have serious – and sometimes deadly – side effects when taken regularly.

Getty – ContributorLong-term use of ibuprofen has been linked to higher risk of cardiac arrest and blood clots[/caption]

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen, have been linked to stomach ulcers, fertility, hearing and cardiovascular problems – and, most recently, an increased risk of blot clots.

For healthy people who need a bit of pain relief from time to time, there’s nothing wrong with popping an anti-inflammatory medicine, TV pharmacist Thorrun Govind tells the Sun.

“But taking these medicines for a long time can cause other serious issues and needs a discussion with your prescriber.’’

1. Stomach ulcers

Signs include:

A burning or gnawing pain in the centre of the tummy (abdomen)

Indigestion

Heartburn

Feeling sick

Taking NSAID pain relievers is one of the most common causes of stomach ulcers, experts say.

This is because they reduce your body’s ability to make a layer of mucus that protects the lining of your stomach from gastric acid.

Stomach acid is strong enough to wear down your teeth and bones.

In your stomach, it can burn into the lining, leaving open sores, also know as ulcers, the NHS says.

2. Fertility issues

Symptoms of testosterone deficiency known as compensated hypogonadism include:

Erectile dysfunction

Low moods

Shrinking muscle mass

Fatigue

Men who take pop doses of ibuprofen for months at a time may be at greater risk of fertility issues.

Research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found healthy young men who took the common painkiller for up to six weeks produced less male sex hormones which led to a condition typically only seen in older men and smokers.

The 18 to 35-year-olds who took part in the Danish study developed a disorder called compensated hypogonadism within two weeks of taking 600mg of ibuprofen twice a day. 

The condition arises when the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone.

“This is usually reversible when you stop taking ibuprofen,” Thorrun explains.

3. Hearing issues

Signs of hearing loss:

Difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places

Asking people to repeat themselves

Listening to music or watching TV with the volume higher than other people need

Difficulty hearing on the phone

Finding it hard to keep up with a conversation

Feeling tired or stressed from having to concentrate while listening

When you think of risk factors linked to hearing loss, over-the-counter pain relievers probably aren’t among them.

But a Harvard study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that frequent taking ibuprofen could play a role.

In the study, women who took the pain relievers at least twice a week were more likely to experience hearing loss, and more frequent usage increased the risk by up to 24 per cent.

The findings are similar to a study of men with hearing loss, although aspirin was also found to contribute to risk in that study.

The scientists think the drug can cut off normal blood flow to the cochlear found in the inner ear so that it structure doesn’t perform as well as it should.

4. Heart issues

Symptoms of cardiac arrest

Fatigue

Dizziness

Shortness of breath

Nausea

Chest pain

Heart palpitations (fast or pounding heartbeat)

Loss of consciousness

Several studies have linked NSAIDs to increased risk of serious heart disease.

In a 2016 British Medical Journal study, authors pointed out that reports of adverse heart reactions began to emerge in 2000.

Some research published in 2017 found the drug could up someone’s risk of cardiac arrest by 31 per cent.

The authors, from Copenhagen University, were so shocked by the results they decided the drugs should not be sold in supermarkets or petrol stations, and should only be available on prescription.

A cardiac arrest happens when someone’s heart stops pumping blood around the body – similar to an electrical fault.

Someone suffering a cardiac arrest will likely drop down unconscious immediately and show no signs of life, stopping breathing.

This differs from a heart attack, where a person typically stays conscious and will often notice chest and arm pain.

5. Blood clot

Symptoms of a blood clot include:

Throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm

Sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood

Women who take ibuprofen and hormonal contraception together are at higher risk of blot clots.

Researchers, also from Copenhagen University, found that when taken alongside hormonal contraception, the pills could increase the risk of a venous thromboembolism, or blood clot, by fivefold.

This can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

They stressed that the overall risk remained low but given both medications’ widespread use, women should know about the possible interactions.