2. What you need to know before you take
Do not take <Product Name>
- if you are allergic to ibuprofen or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
- if you have ever suffered from shortness of breath, asthma, a runny nose, swelling or hives after using acetylsalicylic acid (known as aspirin) or other similar painkillers (NSAIDs)
- if you have (or have had two or more episodes of ) a stomach ulcer or bleeding of the stomach
- if you have a history of gastro-intestinal bleeding or perforation related to previous NSAID therapy
- if you have severe liver, kidney, coronary heart disease or heart failure
- if you suffer from cerebrovascular or other active bleeding
- if you suffer from unclarified blood-formation disturbances
- if you suffer from severe dehydration (caused by vomiting, diarrhoea or insufficient fluid intake)
- during the last three months of pregnancy (see below)
- if the patient is a child or adolescent
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before taking <Product Name>
- if you have certain diseases of the skin (systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or mixed connective tissue disease). If you suffer from serious skin reactions such as exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The use of <Product Name>should be stopped immediately at the first appearance of skin rash, mucosal lesions, or any other sings of allergic reactions
- if you have hereditary blood formation disorder (acute intermittent porphyria)
- if you have or have ever had bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
- if you have ever had a high blood pressure and/or heart failure
- if you have reduced renal function
- if you have liver disorders
- directly after major surgery
- if you have or have had asthma or allergic disease as shortness of breath may occur
- if you suffer from hayfever, nasal polyps or chronic obstructive respiratory disorders an increased risk of allergic reactions exists. The allergic reactions may present as asthma attacks (so-called analgesic asthma). Quincke’s oedema or hives
- During chicken pox (varicella) it is advisable to avoid use of <Product Name>
- medicines such as <Product Name> may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack ("myocardial infarction") or stroke. Any risk is more likely with high doses and prolonged treatment. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment
- if you have heart problems, previous stroke or think that you might be at risk of these conditions (for example if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol or are a smoker) you should discuss your treatment with your doctor or pharmacist
- if you suffer from coagulation disturbances
- In prolonged administration of <Product Name> regular checking of your liver values, the kidney function, as well as of the blood count, is required
- The use with concomitant NSAIDs, including cyclo-oxygenase-2 specific inhibitors, increases risk of adverse reactions (see section “Taking other medicines” below) and should be avoided
Undesirable effects are minimised by using the minimum effective dose for the shortest period of time. The elderly are at increased risk of side effects.
In general the habitual use of (several sorts of) analgesics can lead to lasting severe kidney problems. This risk may be increased under physical strain associated with loss of salt and dehydration. Therefore it should be avoided.
Prolonged use of any type of painkiller for headaches can make them worse. If this situation is experienced or suspected, medical advice should be obtained and treatment should be discontinued. The diagnosis of medication overuse headache (MOH) should be suspected in patients who have frequent or daily headaches despite (or because of) the regular use of headache medications.
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may mask the symptoms of infection and fever.
Other medicines and <Product name>
Some medicines that are anti-coagulants (against clotting) (e.g. acetylsalicylic acid, warfarin, ticlopidin), some medicines against high blood pressure (ACE-inhibitors e.g. captopril, betareceptor blocking medicines, angiotensin II antagonists), and even some other medicines may effect or be effected by the treatment of ibuprofen. Seek therefore always advice of a doctor before you use ibuprofen with other medicines.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. In particular, tell them if you are taking:
acetylsalicylic acid, or other NSAIDs (anti- inflammatories and analgesics)
digoxin (for heart insufficiency)
glucocorticoids (medicinal products containing cortisone or cortisone-like substances)
anti-platelet agents acetylsalicylic acid (low dose)
medicines for thinning the blood (such as warfarin)
phenytoin (for epilepsy)
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (medicines used for depression)
lithium (a medicine for manic depressive illness and depression)
probenecid and sulfinpyrazones (medicines for gout)
medicines for high blood pressure and water tablets
potassium sparing diuretics
methotrexate (a medicine for cancer or rheumatism)
tacrolimus and cyclosporine (immunosuppressive medicines)
zidovudine: (a medicine for treating Aids)
sulfonylureas (antidiabetic medicines) quinolone antibiotics
since this may increase the risk of gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding
since the effect of digoxin may be enhanced
since this may increase the risk of gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding
since this may increase the risk of bleeding
since the blood-thinning effect may be impaired
since ibuprofen may enhance the effects of these medicines
since the effect of phenytoin may be enhanced
as these may increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding
since the effect of lithium may be enhanced
since the excretion of ibuprofen may be delayed
since ibuprofens may diminish the effects of these medicines and there could be a possible increased risk for the kidney
since this may lead to hyperkalaemia
since the effect of methotrexate may be enhanced
since kidney damage may occur
since the use of <Product Name> may result in an increased risk of bleeding into a joint or a bleeding that leads to swelling in HIV
(+) haemophiliacs interactions may be possible
since the risk for convulsions may be increased
• The addition of ‘acenocoumarol’ is not conform with the SmPC, section 4.5, since also ‘acenocoumarol’ is not registered in DE.
<Product Name>with food, drink and alcohol
Swallow the tablets with water. It is recommended that patients with sensitive stomachs take <Product Name> with food. Some side effects, such as those affecting the gastrointestinal system can be more likely when alcohol is taken at the same time as <Product Name>.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Do not take <Product Name> in the last 3 months of pregnancy.
Avoid the use of this medicine in the first 6 months of pregnancy unless the doctor advises otherwise.
This medicine passes into breast milk but may be used during breast-feeding if it is used at the recommended dose and for the shortest possible time.
This product belongs to a group of medicines (NSAIDs) which may impair the fertility in women. This product is not recommended in women trying to conceive. This effect is reversible on stopping the medicine.
Driving and using machines
Ibuprofen has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However since at high dosage side effects such as fatigue, somnolence, vertigo (reported as common) and visual disturbances (reported as uncommon) may be experienced, the ability to drive a car or operate machinery may be impaired in individual cases. This effect is potentiated by simultaneous consumption of alcohol.
<Product name> contains lactose.
If you have been told by your doctor that you have intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.