Guide To The Side Effects Of Ibuprofen

Heartburn

Ibuprofen is known to have a corrosive effect on the mucous membranes of certain organs and tissues, which can manifest as heartburn, a type of pain that occurs in an affected individual's upper digestive tract. In a healthy individual, the process of prostaglandin synthesis and neutralization of stomach acids keep the type of tissue damage that causes heartburn from occurring. Neutralized stomach acids are not pushed back up into the esophagus, and would not cause damage to the lining even if they were regurgitated. The mechanism responsible for halting the production of excess stomach acids in a healthy individual also becomes impaired with the regular long term use of ibuprofen. More stomach acids are produced, and less of those stomach acids are effectively neutralized. Heartburn occurs because these protections are not in place for the upper stomach and esophageal tissues. Damage to the stomach and esophageal lining that causes burning sensations in the chest takes longer to heal with the use of ibuprofen, as efficient blood flow is required for the tissues to repair themselves.

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Itching Skin

Itching skin due to ibuprofen can be the result of a couple of different mechanisms, including a true allergy or a pseudo-allergy. A true allergy to ibuprofen is relatively rare but would cause itchy skin, hives on the face, throat swelling, and other dangerous symptoms that require immediate treatment. A pseudo-allergy is more of a hypersensitivity that is not specific to ibuprofen but is typically experienced with the use of multiple different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. The affected individual's skin may become itchy and develop minor red patches or a rash that may last for several days. The itchiness that occurs in most individuals who experience this side effect is a direct result of the mechanism of the medication itself and not majorly precipitated by an abnormal response by the immune system processes. Mast cells and basophils are implicated in intolerance or hypersensitivity to this drug that causes itching.

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