Ibuprofen is a common, over-the-counter painkiller in the UK. It belongs to a group of medicines known as NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
As well as relieving pain, ibuprofen reduces inflammation. This can make it useful for painful inflammatory conditions such as gout – which is how it found its way into The Reluctant Patient’s medicine cupboard.
Unfortunately, medicines have an irritating habit of interacting with other medicines.
Ibuprofen can interact with some prescription medicines, including ACE inhibitors such as ramipril, which is commonly used to treat high blood pressure. That doesn’t automatically mean everyone taking an ACE inhibitor can never take ibuprofen, but it does mean it’s something worth checking with a pharmacist or other medical professional rather than guessing.
Always read the information supplied with medicines and, if you’re unsure, ask a medical professional – your pharmacist is often a very good place to start.
From the Case Files
The Case of The Fragile Foot
A mysterious pain in my foot calls for expert medical advice. So naturally, I turn to Google and a bloke down the pub.