Ibuprofen and asthma

[Tezwik]

I’ve been told since I’ve been diagnosed with asthma (6 months ago) that I should now avoid anything with ibuprofen in, well the other day my GP prescribed ibuprofen gel for pain relief as I have carpal tunnel, she told me the gel is fine to use as it doesn’t enter the blood stream like the tablet form or injection, I used it twice once in the middle of the night and again once in the morning, both times I’ve been breathless and needed my blue inhaler. Is this a coincidence or am I thinking too much about it

[Hidden]

I used gel and I am fine with it. Tablet is the problem for me. You might had a nightmare that set your off

[17Rose]

I can't use any gels or creams either as they trigger my asthma

[Hidden]

Ibuprofen can definitely cause breathing issues in many asthmatics, personally for me it doesnt affect me at all, tablet or otherwise.

For the gel to work it has to pass through the skin and into the deeper tissues, muscle, joints and tendons etc, once this deep it would be impossible for some of it to not get into the blood stream but it would be in a very small dose.

I think it is unlikely the gel is causing your problems but not impossible.

[Tezwik in reply to Hidden]

That’s what the dr told me, but it’s been a strange coincidence, I’m back up the drs today to see if they can give me something different, I find it quite scary when my breathing plays up, I’m newly diagnosed asthmatic after a bad bout of pneumonia last year so it’s all still so new to me, before the pneumonia I was perfectly fine with ibuprofen.

[Minushabens]

As far as I know, around 1 in 10 asthmatics will have some sort of adverse reaction to ibuprofen. I've always assumed that would be to oral rather than topical, but I never take the chance. I was also advised not so long ago by a hospital doctor to avoid aspirin as it's a similar chemical make-up apparently to ibuprofen. To be fair, I've used aspirin most of my life & never had a problem with it, but I don't use it now.

Paracetamol, co-codamol, etc. are all generally fine for asthmatics though, but as always, if you're unsure get medical advice.

[WheezleSneezle in reply to Minushabens]

This is what my consultant told me recently. While I was in hospital a few months ago my meloxicam (another NSAID, the same class as ibuprofen) was ceased by the doctor who was on rotation on the ward at the time. I have never been affected by NSAIDs. Stopping it meant that I would need to increase my oxycontin dose which I really don't want. So I asked my consultant (a professor) at my next outpatient appointment and he told me only 10% of asthmatics react to NSAIDs and was happy for me to restart it. I had to get him to write a letter to my GP authorising her to prescribe it again as after receiving the hospital discharge summary she refused. It would be nice if the doctor in hospital had actually listened to me and believed me. I don't know about topical preparations. I would assume if someone is very sensitive to it that it could be a problem.

[Yatzy]

I can’t take ibuprofen at all. At first my asthma got worse for a while, then recovered, took it for toothache etc that paracetamol wouldn’t touch. But eventually, the asthma didn’t recover, just stayed worse. My elderly Mum needed help with Ibuprofen cream but I had to wear those vinyl gloves before applying it for her. If I forgot, asthma triggered. But I’m very sensitive to salicylates, main ingredient in aspirin and ibuprofen, and some other things too.

Can only take codeine/cocodamol occasionally. If I take full dose four times a day for a while for pain probs, it doesn’t cause asthma but really puts my triggers into overdrive....perfumes mainly. I’ve had some nasty times!

Most of the time though, all ok!

[-Butterfly- in reply to Yatzy]

Didnt know salycylates are in ibuprofen. I react to bonjela which contain salycylates, I was told off for using it because asthmatics are advised to avoid them (I didnt know), it explains why ibuprofen is a problem to me too!

[-Butterfly-]

The gel affects me too. I was the same, GP prescribed saying I'd be fine (despite it being on my file that the tablets set off my asthma), gave it a go and it set my chest off which is a pain because the gel worked for the issue I had. I still occasionally use it purely because of how effective it is and I cant use cocodamol because codeine has no effect on me, but I take my blue inhaler before applying and use gloves so it only goes where i need it, and only as a last resort.

[Yatzy in reply to -Butterfly-]

A good compromise I would say. I like your thinking!

It’s a nuisance because it still nabs the pain even though asthma’s a side effect. But it became eventually quite a serious side effect for me. Take care!

[-Butterfly- in reply to Yatzy]

Ah so your reaction got worse over more uses? I assumed it'd just be the same each time. I'd best proceed with caution then 😬 thank you

[Yatzy in reply to -Butterfly-]

Took three or maybe four years but yes, gradually I had a permanent rather than a temporary reaction.

Pain is a nuisance these days, difficult to solve if it’s nerve pain.

🙄

[-Butterfly- in reply to Yatzy]

That's not good!

I'll definately use more sparingly!

Yeah pain can be very hard to treat. I had thyroid trouble years ago that was ridiculously painful, that's when I found codeine doesnt work on me, nor tramadol, apparently about 10% people cant metabolise opioids.. oh to be a statistic 😂

[Tezwik]

The doctors have changed me from the ibuprofen gel, she said it shouldn’t have been prescribed, any kind of ibuprofen for an asthmatic should not be given or taken, I’ve been given cocodamol which is ok but I can only take it at night as codeine makes me super sleepy, but as I get most of my pain at night that’s fine, I’ve also had my asthma medication changed, I’ve been given fostair 200/6 I was on fostair 100/6

[Chip_y2kuk]

I've been fine with ibuprofen for years and a year or two ago I've had a reaction to ibuprofen and been told to avoid it and aspirin in all forms by the gp

[johnsmith]

I have read one of your replies where you say: "I’m newly diagnosed asthmatic after a bad bout of pneumonia last year so it’s all still so new to me, before the pneumonia I was perfectly fine with ibuprofen."

Can I suggest you see a massage therapist. Various diseases can affect the breathing coordination. You can end up with over tight rib muscles and chest attachment muscles.

Carpal tunnel can be the result of muscle micro cramps. So the massage therapist could possibly help with this as well.

Have a look at the

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

Post.

Hope I have been able to be helpful.