Ibuprofen whilst on Avastin?: Was interested in... - My Ovacome

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Ibuprofen whilst on Avastin?

HopeP profile image
20 Replies

Was interested in the post by DRDU discussing Ibuprofen and am wondering if anyone knows if it is safe, or not, to take ibuprofen whilst on Avastin??

I think one reply to her post suggested that it may not be advisable.

Does anyone have any knowledge about this please?

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HopeP profile image
HopeP
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20 Replies
TrishLey profile image
TrishLey

Hi there,

I would strongly advise you talk to your Onc team first. I was on Avastin for 18 months and while I didn't suffer from nose bleeds some ladies here did.

Wishinh you all the best

Xx

Trish

HopeP profile image
HopeP in reply toTrishLey

Oh thank you for your reply. So does ibuprofen make you more vulnerable to nose bleeds?? I have not suffered from any nose bleeds as yet though the onc keeps asking if I have!

TrishLey profile image
TrishLey in reply toHopeP

It can be a side effect of Avastin. - Trish x

Whippit profile image
Whippit

Best to consult a pharmacist before taking any additional medicine. I had joint pain on Avastin and was told it was fine to take Ibruprofen or Paracetamol whilst on Avastin but each person is different and with a different set of questions for the pharmacist.

It would be interesting to hear the advice of all the different health professionals we consult.

I've just changed from paracetamol to Ibruprofen to manage slight pains due to progression. Seems to me to be worth a try.

Good luck everyone! xx Annie

mummybear59 profile image
mummybear59

Hope. I typed a long reply on my mobile and then lost it!!! Anyway basically just ti say please double check with your oncologist. The reason I wouldn't take aspirin whilst on Avastin is they both affect the platelets and therefore could cause double trouble in case if a bleed. Although ibuprofen is similar to aspirin i.e a non steroid anti inflammatory, it doesn't have the same extensive 'blood thinning' properties of aspirin so it MAY be safe to take. Having said that, Avastin can cause gastrointestinal problems and so can Avastin so it's best to check with your oncologist. I'm not sure many oncologists really buy into the anti cancer claims of nsaids and they ofter err in the side of caution. My onc was sceptical about the benefits of low dose aspirin but agreed it was unlikely to cause me ant harm either. But that was whilst I wasn't on any treatment. It's sometimes left to us to decide between the possible risks/benefits of a course of action!! Let us know how you get on.

Much love.

M.B. X

MargaretJ profile image
MargaretJ

I take Ibuprofen and paracetemol to control abdominal and joint pain and have done for about 3 years and find they keep the pains from abdominal blockages and joint pain are kept to a bearable level. I do not take avastin but it is more likely to be a problem for warferin. I think you need to check with a pharmacist or one of your treatment team to put your mind at rest!

daisies profile image
daisies

HI. firstly, I am on Avastin and also allowed to take Ibuprofen for pain, but do check with your Onc. Avastin itself can be the case of nose bleeds and poor clotting of bloods if you get a cut etc. But your Onc/Liaison Nurse will know and advise.

regards, Daisies

drdu profile image
drdu

I am a retired GP, and so very careful what I say. I agree with some of the posts above re caution, but if you go back to my post you will see that my consultant, Prof McNeish, was ok about my taking ibuprofen regularly if I started a trial with a similar drug, and my friend is in fact on that trial and taking ibuprofen too. My oncologist took a long time to agree that there is evidence nsaids have an anti-cancer effect, but he has now, having finally looked into the research (genuine cancer research uk approved research), though as he points out there has not been a large trial, as yet.

Eileen xx

daisies profile image
daisies in reply todrdu

Eileen, with your background in medicine, you certainly know the concerns that everyone has - included yourself probably. We have a saying here, where I live, - doctors differ & patients die .

Hope I have not offended you or any of the wonderful women who post on this site.

regards,

Daisies xx

drdu profile image
drdu in reply todaisies

Not at all, Daisies. I know what you mean. I also am convinced as to what has helped me, but it may not help everyone. I find oncologists a bit rigid at times, until something has been proved in a large trial, which is playing it safe, as they see it, but patients can die in the meantime. There is enough evidence there that they should do a large well-constructed trial. They are slow even with aspirin, when there is a lot of evidence there. See Cancer Research UK website. To be frank it has taken my oncologist a while to look into what I was saying - I don't think he believed a word of it till he looked into it. Maybe you might be able to persuade your oncologist to look into it.

Best wishes.

Eileen xx

daisies profile image
daisies in reply todrdu

Hi Eileen. I quite agree with you, that Docs are slow to try new drugs or options. We all know, as Whippit said, there is no cure for advanced OC, and we keep hoping - I suppose we all hope that something new will help.

I have faith in my Onc and regularly discuss treatment options that others are on -- but I have to accept that I know, in my heart & soul, that not all drug/treatment options are suitable for all me.

Meantime, I am enjoying this fabulous early Summer - which I know is due to change on Friday.

Regards, Maureen

drdu profile image
drdu in reply todaisies

Yes, lovely weather.

All best wishes.

Eileen xx

5gems profile image
5gems in reply todrdu

Hi. Just come across your post and really interested. I am a 68 yr old scot who lives in Aberdeen and am interested to hear of all treatments that would perhaps give me some respite from champ.

drdu profile image
drdu in reply to5gems

Happy to help. See my original posts re ibuprofen and aspirin.

Eileen xx

5gems profile image
5gems in reply todrdu

Hi again. How can I access your original posts. Fairly new to this and cannot always access what I would like to read. Thanks in advance and yes would always run things past my ONC or GP.

drdu profile image
drdu in reply to5gems

I think you just click on "drdu" and look under my posts, and you will find them, re ibuprofen, and aspirin, ie the first 2 that I did.

Come back to me if any problem, but I think I checked they were there myself recently.

Eileen xx

5gems profile image
5gems in reply todrdu

Thankyou so much. Will read them and digest the infor,

Jacqui

drdu profile image
drdu

Further, though, I must emphasise STRONGLY do not take an nsaid without omeprazole to protect your stomach, and always discuss with a doctor before taking an nsaid. Obviously I can't know every person's full medical history.

Eileen

HopeP profile image
HopeP

Thank you for your reply and good advice.

I would always check with my onc before taking anything.

Best wishes. X

Thorntke profile image
Thorntke

My wife is having Avastin for 1st line maintenace can any body tell me have they used it for 1st line, and if so how did you get on

Thank you all my best

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