Ibuprofen with Prednisolone?: Evening. I seem to... - PMRGCAuk

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Ibuprofen with Prednisolone?

Phoenix51 profile image
10 Replies

Evening. I seem to remember reading on here that some members mentioned that they sometimes take a one off, larger than normal dose of brufen with a meal to try and knock inflammation pain on the head. I am nervous of doing this as advice is not to take NDAIDs with Pred but I think I’d like to give it a try if someone would be kind enough to advise on dose. I also have tramadol and amitryptaline I could use instead ( prescribed when I first went to GP with occipital pain) Would appreciate opinions on this. I have just gone back up from 10mg to 40mg Thanks.

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Phoenix51
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PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

I personally wouldn't take ibuprofen on a regular basis while on pred, even with a PPI for stomach protection. My rheumy, a world name in the PMR/GCA field, uses courses of high dose i.v. NSAIDs for certain things - I was terrified, it was fine! (Well, not the infusions, they were a bit hellish!).

However, ibuprofen will only work really effectively when a 800mg flooding dose is taken to start with - that occupies all the receptors and leads to effective pain relief. Thereafter you usually need only 400mg at a time - and I find I don't need anything like as much total dose. Often that 800mg flooding dose is all I need for 24 hours. Paracetamol is enough as a top up - but paracetamol alone does nothing for me.

That is how the manufacturers designed and gained approval for the use of ibuprofen as a prescription only drug. They were furious when they applied for OTC approval - and the regulators said it must be a smaller dose on the grounds that would be safer. Except it isn't because it doesn't work as well and patients just keep taking more until it works.

Phoenix51 profile image
Phoenix51 in reply to PMRpro

Thank you very much. So my Ibuprofen tablets are 200mg each, so i take 4 of them as one dose?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Phoenix51

Yes - 400mg are usually only with prescription in the UK, bright pink usually.

Phoenix51 profile image
Phoenix51 in reply to PMRpro

Thank you.

in reply to PMRpro

I did not know that re company. No wonder when I ha r had them prescribed it's double dose. 🤔

Bobbury profile image
Bobbury

I am sure there are people on here who are more qualified than me to give you an answer.

From a personal perspective, I wouldn't take Ibuprofen with pred. When I was first diagnosed with PMR some 10 years ago I was told not to take the two prescription together.

I did and had a reaction which I wont be doing again. As for amitriptyline, well I had a course prescribed as I had developed peripheral neuropathy ( which I think relates to taking pred)

had terrible side effects, nightmares and a general not being on this planet feeling. Never again. I just now put up with neuropathy.....

Hope the above goes same way to help

steamloco profile image
steamloco

sorry i cannot help my wife can only take paracetamol because of her other health problems

Phoenix51 profile image
Phoenix51

Thank you for your replies, very helpful

Mikev6771 profile image
Mikev6771

I have trouble swallowing pills and i was wondering if anyone knows if its safe to crush up the ibuprofen and put it in water then just drink it like that

Mikev6771 profile image
Mikev6771

im only taking ibuprofen for my tooth i just got taken out

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