The Link Between Ibuprofen and Ulcers
Peptic ulcers are slow-healing sores that can develop in your stomach lining, the beginning or top part of your small intestines (duodenum), or your esophagus.
If you have a peptic ulcer, you'll usually experience some degree of abdominal pain. This pain can range from mild to severe and tends to come and go. Some people describe this pain as dull, while for others, it has more of a burning sensation. You might feel this pain anywhere from your belly button to your chest.
Other symptoms include:
Peptic ulcers can develop for a few reasons. One common cause is the frequent use of nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin. Another is H.pylori infection.
Read on to learn how ibuprofen affects your stomach and what you can do to lower your risk of ulcers.
Can ibuprofen cause stomach ulcers?
Your body produces hormones called prostaglandins, which help heal tissue damage and injury, play a role in ovulation and labor, and help gut muscles contract and relax.
These hormones also benefit your stomach in two main ways. They help repair and heal any damage to the lining of your stomach. They also protect your stomach from damage through the production of stomach mucus, which helps counter the effects of the stomach acid that helps break down your food.
Stomach acid is very strong — strong enough to wear down your teeth and bones. If your body doesn't produce enough prostaglandins, this acid can easily damage your stomach lining.
This is where ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can pose a danger.
If you have an infection or injury, your body produces prostaglandins to help you heal. In some cases, though, your body may produce too much of these hormones. High levels of prostaglandins can lead to pain, swelling, and other inflammation.
Ibuprofen relieves these symptoms by reducing the amount of prostaglandins your body can produce. But over time, the drop in prostaglandins can leave your stomach more vulnerable to damage.
Ulcers don't develop overnight
You probably won't develop an ulcer after taking ibuprofen for a few days in a row.
Still, regular doses of ibuprofen daily for weeks or months will increase your chances of developing a peptic ulcer.
take ibuprofen with other NSAIDs
take ibuprofen with some other medications, such as corticosteroids, blood thinners, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
have a history of stomach ulcers
have an H. pylori infection
are older than 65
have three or more servings of alcohol a day
smoke cigarettes
Reducing your risk
Most people can safely take ibuprofen to relieve short-term symptoms, such as fever, menstrual cramps, or body aches and pains.
When taking ibuprofen or any other medication, you can reduce your risk of unwanted side effects by reading the label and following the directions closely.
These tips can also help lower your chances of developing an ulcer:
Take the smallest possible dose: Does your medication bottle say, 'Take 1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours?' It never hurts to start with one tablet and pay attention to your symptoms before taking more.
Avoid taking too many doses: When taking ibuprofen around the clock to relieve pain that remains for a few days, like menstrual cramps, it may help to set a timer for each dose. If you take your next dose too soon, you may take more ibuprofen than planned and exceed the daily recommendation.
Take ibuprofen for no more than a few days at a time: If you have persistent fever, aches, or other symptoms, it may be worth asking your healthcare professional about other options for treating your pain. Keep in mind, too, that NSAIDs to treat migraine pain and other headaches could lead to medication overuse headaches.
Medications that help prevent peptic ulcers
Many people take ibuprofen regularly to treat arthritis and other conditions that cause chronic pain and inflammation.
If you need to take an NSAID long term, consider asking your doctor about medication to help protect against ulcers.
The following medications could make a difference:
proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which help lower stomach acid production
H2 blockers, which also help lower stomach acid production
misoprostol, which helps boost the production of stomach mucus
These medications may not work well for everyone and may cause some side effects, including constipation and diarrhea. Also, long-term use of PPIs may increase your risk of fractures and infection.
Your care team can offer more guidance on whether these medications are a good option for you.
Bottom line
Most people won't get an ulcer from taking ibuprofen occasionally, especially when sticking to the dosing directions on the label.
Taking several doses of ibuprofen a day for a few weeks or longer may raise your risk of peptic ulcers, especially if you take other NSAIDs at the same time.
If you use ibuprofen to manage ongoing pain and inflammation, a good next step involves asking a doctor about medications that can lower your ulcer risk. They can also offer more guidance on other options for pain relief.
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