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Dr. Specht reveals maximum doseSide effects of ibuprofen! At what point does the painkiller become dangerous?
The side effects should not be underestimated!
If you have headaches, back pain or period pain, quickly grab ibuprofen. But the over-the-counter painkiller is often taken more often than experts recommend. Because ibuprofen also has some side effects and can even cause damage to the body, as Dr. Specht explained in an RTL interview. You can find out what risks painkillers pose and when ibuprofen becomes dangerous in the video above.
Dangerous side effects! Ibuprofen can cause this damage to the body
Ibuprofen is so popular for good reason: The painkiller not only has a strong pain-relieving effect, but also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Even fever can be effectively reduced. “But of course it also comes with side effects“, explains Dr. Specht in the RTL interview – and these have it all.
“Ibuprofen – like many other pain medications – can put a strain on the stomach and the gastric mucosa,” explains the expert first. Damage to the protective prostaglandin film can result in both inflammation and ulcers. The latter in turn can lead to “internal gastrointestinal bleeding” says Dr. Specht.
But other organs also suffer from too high a dosage of ibuprofen. “For example, if you already have a weak heart, a so-called heart failure, i.e. a weak pumping system, this clinical picture can get worse,” explains the doctor. The same applies to other cardiovascular diseases. Ibuprofen can increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
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Even the kidneys are not immune to the painkillers. The increased load can reduce their filter performance. But how much ibuprofen is actually too much?
Maximum dosage: When does ibuprofen become a risk?
Due to the side effects of the painkiller, “the dose is relevant,” emphasizes Dr. Woodpecker. How much ibuprofen the body can tolerate also depends on the genetic predisposition, but according to the expert it also depends on the duration of use, age and existing previous illnesses.
Anyone who already suffers from heart failure or is already struggling with kidney damage should, according to Dr. Woodpecker “be particularly careful”.
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But healthy people should also pay attention to the correct dosage. The doctor explains: “There is a very clear recommendation about how much ibuprofen you can take as an adult.” This amounts to 100 milligrams every eight hoursinsofar as this is necessary.
If the pain persists for a longer period of time, a medical examination to clarify the causes is definitely advisable. The doctor also explains in the video above why it doesn't help to take two ibuprofen tablets at once.
Sources used: own RTL research
