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Can Ibuprofen Cause Stomach Irritation?
Question: I recently had some blood tests come back with elevated liver results My doc thought it was related to some medication which I stopped taking My last test about 2 weeks ago showed it settling down along with my symptoms Yesterday I got a few stabbing pains while swimming then last night started constant belching and nausea Also noticed my back has started to itch again Today I have pain on the left side extending up under the ribs My stomach hurts I belch whether or not I eat or drink Have pretty much lost my appetite again and have a intermittent headache Could I have just picked up a stomach bug or should I ring my doc for another blood test?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I see that you take Ibuprofen and this can definitely cause stomach irritation - sometimes right away, sometimes after taking it for a while.
So you may have gastritis from the ibuprofen.
It would not cause your skin to itch, but other symptoms may trigger the immune related itching.
Stomach bugs usually don't cause stomach pain like you are describing. It would be more likely to be gastritis.
Did you have a headache with the Steven-Johnson? I am wondering if the headache, and itching, may be related to that.
Also, what medication was stopped?
For the stomach pain, you can try ranitidine which is an H2 blocker.
It reduces acid produced by the stomach by 70% which is usually low enough to let the lining heal while still enough to digest your food.
The dose is 150 mg twice a day or 300 mg once a day, and you may need it for several days to a few weeks.
If you must take ibuprofen, take it only when there is adequate food in the stomach.
For now, avoid citrus, tomatoes, and other acidic foods, spicy and greasy foods. Also alcohol and caffeine (and tobacco if you are a smoker).
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I see that you take Ibuprofen and this can definitely cause stomach irritation - sometimes right away, sometimes after taking it for a while.
So you may have gastritis from the ibuprofen.
It would not cause your skin to itch, but other symptoms may trigger the immune related itching.
Stomach bugs usually don't cause stomach pain like you are describing. It would be more likely to be gastritis.
Did you have a headache with the Steven-Johnson? I am wondering if the headache, and itching, may be related to that.
Also, what medication was stopped?
For the stomach pain, you can try ranitidine which is an H2 blocker.
It reduces acid produced by the stomach by 70% which is usually low enough to let the lining heal while still enough to digest your food.
The dose is 150 mg twice a day or 300 mg once a day, and you may need it for several days to a few weeks.
If you must take ibuprofen, take it only when there is adequate food in the stomach.
For now, avoid citrus, tomatoes, and other acidic foods, spicy and greasy foods. Also alcohol and caffeine (and tobacco if you are a smoker).
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks With SJS I had head pain Ulceration of the esophagus throat mouth and genitals It also effected my eyes, skin and lumgs Also lost my finger and toe nails Have never regained much sense of taste or smell since Medication stopped for elevated liver enzymes a few weeks ago was initially norflex and as a precautionary measure paracetamol and ibuprofen I was on holiday when doubling over in pain everytime I ate so took some omeprazole I had left over Doc stopped that too Have only been back on the ibuprofen for a week After a week on morflex i started to lose my voice my vision blurred suffered crippling head pain vertigo and body tremors to the extent I couldn't stand on my own I only drink water and milk and even that hurts I don't smok Is ranitide non toxic to the liver? e
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Ranitidine is safer on the liver than cimetidine, but given this additional history, I want to err on the side of caution and send you back to the doctor who has been managing the SJS.
Possibly the gastritis is related to the SJS (and possibly made worse by the ibuprofen).
I don't know what time it is where you live, but can you call the doctor who is addressing the SJS - hopefully he or she is a rheumatologist?
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Ranitidine is safer on the liver than cimetidine, but given this additional history, I want to err on the side of caution and send you back to the doctor who has been managing the SJS.
Possibly the gastritis is related to the SJS (and possibly made worse by the ibuprofen).
I don't know what time it is where you live, but can you call the doctor who is addressing the SJS - hopefully he or she is a rheumatologist?
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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