Iboprofen

[Gertsen]

Broke my wrist, Cast off yesterday and was told that I had arthritis and to take iboprofen, I told him, doctor, I could not because of AF and pills, he said that the cream you put on the body is ok. Any thoughts?

[Hidden]

I've been told the same for arthritic knee but didn't bother as it made no difference!

[UScore]

I find it very frustrating because for me, ibuprofen works better than paracetamol for low level pain relief.

And whilst I've read many people say ibuprofen shouldn't be taken if you have AF, I've not seen many official sources that state this. There's a report from Denmark that seems to show a low but statistically significant correlation between ibuprofen and AF, but I've never really understood all of its conclusions.

Do the risks come from long term use? Does it cause the underlying conditions for AF, or can it bring on attack within hours of use?

Before being diagnosed with AF I have used Ibuprofen, probably only 3-4 times a year and typically only a day or two at a time, most times not even at the maximum daily dose. I haven't noticed any link between those times and getting AF.

It's difficult to know how to judge the risk. We all know alcohol has a link with AF, but there are many of us that can tolerate a small amount occasionally with no problems. How does this compare to ibuprofen? If I know it's the only thing that will shift a headache maybe I should take some. If it doesn't bring on AF in a day or so, does that mean it's ok - or am I adding to some long term issue?

[Hidden in reply to UScore]

UScore I do know someone who went into AF on day 10 of first taking an NSAID. ....never had AF before to his knowledge. Will obviously never take it again . Back to NSR after several hours. Drug was Naproxen

[rosyG in reply to UScore]

see Goldie's point above about taking with anticoagulant

[UScore in reply to rosyG]

Yeah, I understand the anticoagulant thing, but I'm not on them so doesn't apply to me

[opal11uk in reply to UScore]

If you are not on any anticoagulant then I can't see the risk unless of course it increases heart rate enough to put you into A/F

[Pollywaffle10 in reply to UScore]

I understand that the risk with Ibruprofen comes from the risk of a bleed if you have AF and are on a blood thinner.

There is an increased risk of bleeding with any anti inflammatory,aspirin, etc.

My Dr has said one tablet if the pain is severe would be OK, as long as you are staying at home, and keep away from sharp knives😂

[UScore in reply to Pollywaffle10]

I'm not on anticoagulants. I believe ibuprofen is still a no-no for me.

[Hatty_36 in reply to Pollywaffle10]

I am on Apixiban and am prescribed Ibruproen gel three times a day for arthrits and have no problems with it.

[momist in reply to UScore]

We don't all know that alcohol has a link with AF. I know that for me at least, there is no link with alcohol and AF, even with large amounts of alcohol.

[UScore in reply to momist]

yeah fair point. Me either.

What I really meant, there's a widely publicised link made between AF and alcohol. There's a less widely publicised link between AF and ibuprofen.

How do you relatively judge the risks?

[meadfoot]

When in hospital and diagnosed with af I was asked what I used generally for pain relief. The cardiologist said don't take ibuprofen again it's not good for peoplewith af and to take paracetamol instead. Hope this helps.

[Surreyhunni]

I too take ibuprofen for joint pain for a genetic disorder as paracetamol doesn't help with inflammation. Although advised not to take unless really necessary, my GP explained it wasn't because of the anti-coagulation side of it, rather its from the risk of bleeding into the stomach because I also take an anticoagulant.

[Surreyhunni]

As both can irritate the stomach lining causing bleeding.

[dedeottie]

I have used the gel with no probs. The pharmasist said that almost nothing gets into the bloodstream but others may say differently?

[Hidden]

Just asked this very question of my pharmacist the other day. Answer - NO!

[Gertsen in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I thought as much

[rothwell]

My GP has just prescribed Ibuprofen gel for knee pain . ...says gel is fine with Apixaban. Then checked with pharmacist who also said it was OK but looked it up just to reassure me and confirmed it was OK.

[seasider18 in reply to rothwell]

I found the best cream to be TRAXAM but it has been unavailable for two years since the makers were taken over. They initially said it would be available in the third quarter of last year then they said the third quarter of this year.

[Indersisive71 in reply to rothwell]

I asked my pharmacy about taking ibuprofen .he said no I asked about the gel . He said the same. Because they interfered with medications I am on he gave me a gel called Algesal (local Analgesic cream)

[EricW]

Moderation in all things! Amongst other complaints including AF I suffer from nocturia (I'm 83). Nothing seems to help but one day after falling over and damaging my ribs and wrist I took an ibuprofin 200mg to ease the pain before going to bed. To my surprise I slept right through for the first time in years. A second night the same. Mentioned it to pharmacist and he told me of the risks when on anti coagulants but thought the occasional dose would be OK. Later I asked my cardiologist and he agreed that to get a good night's sleep outweighed the very small risk. I now take a tablet twice a week with his blessing. I'm very happy with that.

EricW.

[seasider18 in reply to EricW]

That, codeine and antihistamine do help with BPH causing you to go overnight but in the long term it can cause retention as well as its normal dangers.

Melatonin helps some with BPH overnight and also helps sleep. Cherry juice with a high melatonin concentration is a good option.

[Gertsen in reply to seasider18]

Sorry to be ignorant I am female do I have a prostate

[EricW in reply to seasider18]

Yep. Prostate cancer 10 years ago. Nocturia probably caused by radiotherapy.

EricW

[beardy_chris in reply to EricW]

Sorry to be obvious but I have to ask: if you suffer from nocturia, have you had your prostate checked? No need to answer!

[beardy_chris]

My GP said Ibuprofen Gel was probably OK so long as it didn't cause bruising - but to stop immediately if it did. I'm also taking Apixaban.

[Gertsen in reply to beardy_chris]

Thank you 😊

[starry-eyes]

Agree with Beardy_chris. I never take Ibuprofen tablets but when paracetamol not working on my knees and they swell, I use the gel sparingly, which helps.

[Gertsen in reply to starry-eyes]

It was the gel I was wondering about thank you

[vonski]

I have no problems with it. I dont take thinners though

[Mike11]

Yes the creams are fine. There's even a prescription one called ketoprofen where even less of it gets to the heart.

[Gertsen in reply to Mike11]

Thank you I will ask my doctor for some 😊

[opal11uk]

Agree, thats what I've been told too

[dabend36]

I am on Xarelto. My discharge papers from my ablation instructed me to take ibuprofiin if I needed it (600mg). But I had been told when I was put on the Xarelto 9 months earlier that I could not. My guess is that it is a something they don't want you to do regularly. A little advil from time-to-time (while you're not doing something that puts you at risk for a bruise) seems fine.