Why is it so important to limit ibuprofen intake?

Doctors insist that they insist whenever they can: Like all medications, ibuprofen should be used restrictively and not as s 'it' s safe. was a harmless substance, without side effects, "like a candy".
A recent study in France on the safety and convenience of the drug has highlighted the risks of using it against certain infections (such as tonsillitis and otitis) under certain conditions and has requested an adaptation to the rules of good use.

The warning of the French medical system, through its
The drug control agency (known by the acronym ANSM) goes in the same direction. Use of ibuprofen at the lowest dose and for the shortest possible time, because infections caused by bacteria of the family of streptococci (angina, pharyngitis and otitis, but also skin lesions or chickenpox) were detected results against -productive: they have in particular aggravated the infection.

But this is not the only alarm regarding the excessive consumption of this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. In 2017, a study was published in the
European Heart Journal mentioning that ibuprofen can increase by 31% the risk of cardiac arrest. And in the same vein, the US body that controls drugs, known as the FDA, has been published for all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (a category that includes ibuprofen as well as ketoprofen).

A question of dose

As we know from the sixteenth century with the investigations of Paracelsus, doses rather than substance, as emphasized Jimena Worcel, psychiatrist and medical director of
Argentine Chamber of OTC Drugs (Capemvel). "The heart or kidney risks exceed 2,000 mg per day." What is tricky in countries like Argentina, is that you can get drugs in pharmacies for which you should get a prescription. It is used correctly, there is no risk, "he explained.

"Ibuprofen has replaced aspirin in many places and that's good because it has a better safety profile, but badgesic consumption remains high due to irregular sales. It is therefore recommended to know the concentrations over-the-counter. when the doctor's indication is required and that it is always better to take the lowest dose for the shortest possible period of time, "added Worcel.

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"There are many studies on the adverse effects of ibuprofen.The problem in Argentina is polypharmacy and over-medication of the population, which is clearly favored by the advertising of ibuprofen, which should not to be allowed. " A drug is needed or not. it is necessary, the advertising is always excessive, "said Carlos Damin, chair of the chair of toxicology of the Faculty of Medicine of UBA and president of
Fundartox.

In the country, the free sale of the drug is in doses of up to 400 milligrams. From 600 mg, it must be sold under a prescription from a doctor. "But I do not know why people do not like 400 mg, so buy 600 mg or take two 400 mg," said Damin. And the truth is that they are easily obtained without a prescription at such doses. In this sense, entities such as
The Association of Medical Propaganda Agents (AAPM) denounces "the proliferation of drug advertising in which abound the promises of miraculous remedies". In Argentina, ibuprofen is on the podium of the best-selling drugs for years and it surpbades aspirin and paracetamol, with similar action.

Are the consequences of such a mbadive use of ibuprofen in Argentina known? Damin replies that "there are few data from organisms such as
National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technologies (Anmat), regarding the pharmacovigilance of ibuprofen ".

"In our country, unfortunately, doctors have little practice in reporting adverse effects or adverse effects of drugs, there is neither the custom nor the obligation to do so, but this should be done to facilitate knowledge of what is happening in our population relationship with certain drugs, "said the specialist.

This leads to another public health problem in the world, such as the use of over-the-counter antibiotics, which generates extremely resistant bacteria to existing treatments. "In Argentina, many antibiotics are sold and consumed without a prescription, we will die ignorant," lamented Worcel. But that's another story.