Ibuprofen : Hi...I have PBC and take urso... - PBC Foundation

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Ibuprofen

Jnuttall profile image
25 Replies

Hi...I have PBC and take urso...but have just developed tendonitis in my ankle and my gp recommended ibuprofen but I’m sure I read that you shouldn’t take these ? Can anyone tell me if they are ok to take ...thank you 😊

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Jnuttall profile image
Jnuttall
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25 Replies
Ballymahon2 profile image
Ballymahon2

I know paratemol is safe with pbc

Jnuttall profile image
Jnuttall in reply to Ballymahon2

Thank you

Ktltel profile image
Ktltel

Jnuttall,

It might be a good idea to call your pharmacist. They'll tell you if there are any interactions with those meds together or, any other meds you're currently taking.

Stella ❤

Jnuttall profile image
Jnuttall in reply to Ktltel

Thank you

Louisethew profile image
Louisethew

I have pbc and aih and asked my consultant yesterday if I could take ibuprofen, he said I could if I really needed to but because of my meds urso , pred and aza it could cause stomach problems so only take if really needed , paracetamol is fine . Like others say you could check with pharmacy

Jnuttall profile image
Jnuttall in reply to Louisethew

Thank you

Pamela4475 profile image
Pamela4475

Don’t take it..... my liver doc said no because it lowers platelets.... take Tylenol but no more than 2 grams or 2000mg in 24 hours

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to Pamela4475

Same here. Smallest dose Tylenol & not often.

ninjagirlwebb profile image
ninjagirlwebb

I had wrist pain and my hepatologist told me a little ibuprofen every now & then is okay. Not sure what the status of your liver is. I assume the advice differs depending on your stage and what other meds you are taking besides urso.

My hepatologist is my go to person on what meds I can take. I don’t trust anyone else. But I think I can trust my new primary care doctor as she has other pbc patients.

ninjagirlwebb profile image
ninjagirlwebb in reply to ninjagirlwebb

I also took it for my knee pain as well. I had a knee fracture & took the ibuprofen for like 5 days to keep the inflammation down. I also iced it a lot.

Junolee profile image
Junolee

Yes I take Ibuprofen when I need to. The alternative is to be in pain or to suffer the inflammation which isn’t good is it? Short term use is fine. It’s all about balance.

PBCRobert profile image
PBCRobertPartner

Hi, Jnuttall.

The key is balance. There are good reasons not to take ibuprofen with PBC. However, if someone breaks a leg, a couple of paracetamol (or Tylenol) isn't going to make a difference.

So speak with your consultant about the best pain meds for you *at this moment* taking everything into account. I would be surprised if the answer is ibuprofen but there may be something else that can help.

Jmorrison profile image
Jmorrison

I agree with much of the above. Avoid taking too much Ibuprofen but maybe take it when the pain is particularly bad. My gp doesn't like me taking it because I have high blood pressure but if I get a migraine nothing else helps!

PollyO profile image
PollyO

Ibuprophen in small quantity, like one a day or so for a couple of days is not going to bother from my experience, but learning to use nature's anti-inflammatory is best...ice. Also... avoid sugar which is our greatest enemy for inflammation.

cazer profile image
cazer

ive always been told never to take ibrufropen with pbc.... not good... go back to the prescriber... for an alternative. also not asprin either... unless deem absolutely necessary for clotting reasons. best wishes cazer

mrspeffer profile image
mrspeffer

Hello...sorry to hear you are having any type of pain...I was warned away from both Ibuprofen and tylenol, as both are hard on the liver. White willow bark , which is the base of aspirin, is easier on the body. There are 2 enzyme products that are great for pain, stiffness, reducing inflammation...WOBENZYM PS, and KappArest. I tend to like the Wobenzym best.

Feel better

upintheair profile image
upintheair

I was told to take ibuprofen over Tylenol because ibuprofen is NOT processed by the liver and Tylenol is.

PBCRobert profile image
PBCRobertPartner in reply to upintheair

Most (if not all) clinicians I know and speak to (and I have some top ones on speed dial!!) would disagree with this advice.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to upintheair

My understanding is everything you swallow is processed through your liver.

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to upintheair

According to LiverSupport.com, ibuprofen can be just as dangerous

ninjagirlwebb profile image
ninjagirlwebb

I was curious about ibuprofen vs Tylenol so I googled it:

medicinenet.com/acetaminoph...

gwillistexas profile image
gwillistexas in reply to ninjagirlwebb

Good info. Tks!

SiriusJJ profile image
SiriusJJ

Hi, I was diagnosed with Pbc just 6 months ago and my consultant, a senior hepatologist at my hospital said no to ibuprofen, yes to paracetamol.

upintheair profile image
upintheair

This is what I mean when I say it is not processed by the liver:

"Liver-safe:

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDS rarely affect the liver. Unlike acetaminophen (Tylenol) most NSAIDs are absorbed completely and have negligible first-pass hepatic (liver) metabolism. In other words, the way NSAIDS are metabolized makes liver toxicity (hepatotoxicity) very rare. Estimates are that 1 in 100,000 NSAID prescriptions result in acute liver injury. Generally NSAIDs are very liver-safe."

Of course, if you are in an advanced stage of PBC or cirrhosis I wouldn't advise taking ibuprofen. I take it very sparingly, along with all other drugs but I have taken it probably once or twice in the past few months. I have been in stage 0-1 since I was diagnosed over 13 years ago. I have taken ursodiol since my diagnosis.

My-life profile image
My-life

I was only allowed tylenol 1000mg a day. Nothing eles he said.

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