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What Causes Digestive Issues After Taking Advil?
Question: My girlfriend is 20 years old, 5'7", 120 pounds and takes Advil for her menstrual pain, she takes three tablets (200mg tablets) at the start then 2 every 4-6 hours for 1-2 days. So she takes 8-9 on the first day of her cramps and 8 or so the next. I've thought that this is too much especially for prolonged use over two days every month or so. She also has a sensitive stomach and sometimes gets diahrea and now thinks that she may by gluten sensitive or intolerant her acne is bad as well which I've read can be linked to issues absorbing nutrients or digestive issues along with dark circles under her eyes that she's had since childhood. So my questions are: is she causing long term or irreversible kidney, stomach and or intestinal damage by taking so much Advil? Are there safer alternatives for dealing with her pain? Is there a possible or likely link between the Advil dosage and her GI tract issues? Thank you very much, and I apologize for the long message I just wanted to be as specific and provide as much information as I could. Thank you again
Brief Answer:
Visit a doctor and discuss your concern regarding her
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thanks for putting your query in HCM. I am a Gastroenterologist (DM). I appreciate your concern regarding your girl friend.
Ans1. This dose which She is taking is undoubtedly high. Advil has got common side effects like abdominal pain, gastritis, peptic ulcer, diarrhoea, gastric upset, renal failure, heart disease, Liver disease, and digestive problems especially on long term use that also in high dose.
Ans 2: Every medicine has got side effects. There are some herbs which has got analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions. However it is advsiable to discuss with your doctor regarding any herbal supplements. Moreover there are analgesic like acetoaminophen, tramadol, and antispasmodic like drotaverine. These are relatively safer medicine which I found very useful in my patients. However You should discuss with your doctor before starting any of these medicines
Ans 3. The side effects of GI tract may ocurr at 1600mg/ day especially in those who already have GI issues prior to use of advil. So advil should be used with caustion in such patients. Around 25% of the people do get GI side effcts on the usual recommended dosage.
So in nut shell I will advise you to visit a doctor and discuss your concern.
I hope I have answered your query and this will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to answer that too. Remain in touch and get-well soon.
Visit a doctor and discuss your concern regarding her
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thanks for putting your query in HCM. I am a Gastroenterologist (DM). I appreciate your concern regarding your girl friend.
Ans1. This dose which She is taking is undoubtedly high. Advil has got common side effects like abdominal pain, gastritis, peptic ulcer, diarrhoea, gastric upset, renal failure, heart disease, Liver disease, and digestive problems especially on long term use that also in high dose.
Ans 2: Every medicine has got side effects. There are some herbs which has got analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions. However it is advsiable to discuss with your doctor regarding any herbal supplements. Moreover there are analgesic like acetoaminophen, tramadol, and antispasmodic like drotaverine. These are relatively safer medicine which I found very useful in my patients. However You should discuss with your doctor before starting any of these medicines
Ans 3. The side effects of GI tract may ocurr at 1600mg/ day especially in those who already have GI issues prior to use of advil. So advil should be used with caustion in such patients. Around 25% of the people do get GI side effcts on the usual recommended dosage.
So in nut shell I will advise you to visit a doctor and discuss your concern.
I hope I have answered your query and this will help you. If you have any further query I will be happy to answer that too. Remain in touch and get-well soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you very much, and she has agreed to make an appointment with a doctor, in the meantime are there any foods that could help with reducing inflammation? Or some that could be irritating? Im sorry if thats a broad question.
Secondly is there a possibiltiy that any damage done to her GI tract or kidneys from the high doses of advil 1; be longterm? Or 2: lead to similar symptoms of gluetn sensitivity or just general difestive sensitvity?
Thank you very much again
Secondly is there a possibiltiy that any damage done to her GI tract or kidneys from the high doses of advil 1; be longterm? Or 2: lead to similar symptoms of gluetn sensitivity or just general difestive sensitvity?
Thank you very much again
Brief Answer:
Take diet rich in vitamins and minerals, omega 3 fatty acids
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Ans 1: Follow the dietary advise:
1. Increase omega 3 fatty acids (chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, soybeans, and cold water fish like salmon, cod, and halibut) and decrease omega 6 fatty acids(corn oil and safflower oil) in her diet.
2. Give her diet rich in minerals( Calcium and Magnesium) and rich in vitamins especially vitamin E and Vitamin B complex
3. Do regular exercise
This all I found very useful in my patients
Ans 2: If She will continue with Advil in such dose as I have explained above for long term there may be permanent damage otherwise not.
If you do not have any further query , you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish her a good health.
Take diet rich in vitamins and minerals, omega 3 fatty acids
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Ans 1: Follow the dietary advise:
1. Increase omega 3 fatty acids (chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, soybeans, and cold water fish like salmon, cod, and halibut) and decrease omega 6 fatty acids(corn oil and safflower oil) in her diet.
2. Give her diet rich in minerals( Calcium and Magnesium) and rich in vitamins especially vitamin E and Vitamin B complex
3. Do regular exercise
This all I found very useful in my patients
Ans 2: If She will continue with Advil in such dose as I have explained above for long term there may be permanent damage otherwise not.
If you do not have any further query , you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish her a good health.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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