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What Causes Stomach Irritation After Taking Ibuprofen And Fluoxetine?
Question: my husband is experiencing severe stomach cramping after taking ibuprofen and has just been on Fluoxetine a couple of days, celexa prior to that daily. Is this an adverse drug reaction and how worried should we be?
YYYY@YYYY
thank you
YYYY@YYYY
thank you
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mrs. XXXX,
Ibuprofen and any of the NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation and even ulceration and bleeding from the stomach lining.
If there is bleeding, the stool can look black and tarry and if he vomits, the emesis can look like coffee grounds (from blood that has been acted on by the stomach acid). If this is the case, he should go in to be seen right away (to the ER).
Celexa and fluoxetine are both SSRIs and can have side effects of gastrointestinal cramping and stomach irritation too. They can also cause diarrhea. The stomach irritation from an SSRI is not typically as severe as one can get from an NSAID but having been taking them they may have set him up for more reaction to the ibuprofen.
If his pain is severe, he should go in to the ER to be seen now. Otherwise, he can try an H2 blocker such as Zantac 150 mg twice a day. Even stronger would be a PPI medication such as Prilosec or pantaprozole, but PPIs have more risk of side effects and I don't know what other health problems he may have.
Until better, avoid acidic foods such as citrus and tomatoes and very spicy foods.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mrs. XXXX,
Ibuprofen and any of the NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation and even ulceration and bleeding from the stomach lining.
If there is bleeding, the stool can look black and tarry and if he vomits, the emesis can look like coffee grounds (from blood that has been acted on by the stomach acid). If this is the case, he should go in to be seen right away (to the ER).
Celexa and fluoxetine are both SSRIs and can have side effects of gastrointestinal cramping and stomach irritation too. They can also cause diarrhea. The stomach irritation from an SSRI is not typically as severe as one can get from an NSAID but having been taking them they may have set him up for more reaction to the ibuprofen.
If his pain is severe, he should go in to the ER to be seen now. Otherwise, he can try an H2 blocker such as Zantac 150 mg twice a day. Even stronger would be a PPI medication such as Prilosec or pantaprozole, but PPIs have more risk of side effects and I don't know what other health problems he may have.
Until better, avoid acidic foods such as citrus and tomatoes and very spicy foods.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
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
Answered by
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