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Dr. Banita Sehgal
Internal Medicine Physician
My approach to healthcare is rooted in building genuine partnerships with my patients.
Taking the time to understand their needs and goals helps us collaborate effectively and find the best path forward together. What I love most about my work is being someone they can count on — familiar, accessible, and focused on their well-being.
Frequently asked questions
Ibuprofen may be right for you if you need relief from mild to moderate pain (such as headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, or arthritis) or if you have fever or inflammation that needs to be managed. To determine if it’s a good fit, consider these points:
- Are you dealing with short-term pain or fever that you want to treat at home?
- Do you have any health conditions like kidney issues, ulcers, heart disease, or high blood pressure? These can affect whether ibuprofen is safe for you.
- Are you taking other medications that could interact with ibuprofen, such as blood thinners or certain blood pressure medications?
If you have any concerns or are unsure, it's best to consult with your LifeMD-affiliated healthcare provider. They can help determine if ibuprofen is the right choice based on your health history and needs.
If you need stronger pain relief or have more persistent symptoms, prescription-strength ibuprofen (usually 400 mg, 600 mg, or 800 mg) may be recommended by your provider for conditions like severe arthritis or post-surgical pain, but it’s important to use it under medical supervision due to the potential for side effects with long-term use.
Ibuprofen may not be suitable for you if you:
- Have a history of stomach ulcers, gastric bleeding, or other gastrointestinal issues
- Have kidney disease or liver disease
- Have heart disease, high blood pressure, or a history of stroke
- Are pregnant, especially in the third trimester, unless directed by a doctor
- Are allergic to NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or
Ibuprofen typically stays in your system for about 24 hours, but its effects usually last four to six hours. The half-life of ibuprofen – the time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body – is around two to four hours in most people.
While the drug itself is cleared relatively quickly, its pain-relieving effects may last only a few hours, which is why you might need to take it again if pain persists. Be sure to always follow dosing recommendations to avoid overuse.
Ibuprofen is not technically a blood thinner, but it can have some mild effects on blood clotting. It works by blocking certain enzymes that produce prostaglandins, which help with inflammation and pain. Some prostaglandins also play a role in helping platelets (blood cells involved in clotting) stick together to form clots.
As a result, ibuprofen can slightly reduce the ability of your blood to clot, which could increase the risk of bleeding, especially if taken in high doses or for extended periods. However, it’s not as strong as medications specifically designed to thin the blood, like warfarin or aspirin.
If you’re on blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, it's important to check with your doctor before using ibuprofen regularly.
Yes, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be taken together, but they work in different ways and are metabolized differently by your body. Acetaminophen is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer), while ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces pain, inflammation, and fever.
If you're using both together, they don’t interfere with each other and can provide more comprehensive pain relief. However, it's important to follow these guidelines:
- Stagger the doses: Typically, you can take one medication first, and then the other a few hours later, so they don’t overlap too much.
- Follow proper dosing: Avoid exceeding the recommended dose of either medication (for acetaminophen, no more than 4,000 mg per day; for ibuprofen, no more than 1,200 mg per day without medical supervision).
- Short-term use: It’s usually safe for short-term use, but it’s important to consult your doctor if you need to take both regularly.
This combination can be helpful for managing pain like back pain, headaches, or arthritis, but always check with your healthcare provider if you're unsure about the right approach for your symptoms.
No, Tylenol is not ibuprofen. Tylenol is the brand name for acetaminophen, which is a pain reliever and fever reducer. It works differently from ibuprofen, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
While both acetaminophen and ibuprofen are used to relieve pain and reduce fever, acetaminophen does not have the anti-inflammatory properties that ibuprofen has. Additionally, acetaminophen is generally gentler on the stomach, but it can affect the liver if taken in high doses, whereas ibuprofen may be harder on the stomach and kidneys over time.
It's not recommended to drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen. Both ibuprofen and alcohol can irritate your stomach lining and increase the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding. Additionally, combining them may place extra strain on your liver and kidneys, as both substances are processed by these organs.
If you occasionally drink small amounts of alcohol, it may not cause significant issues, but it’s best to limit alcohol consumption and avoid heavy drinking while using ibuprofen. If you need to take ibuprofen regularly or have concerns about alcohol use, it’s a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider.
Ibuprofen typically starts to work within 30 minutes to one hour after taking it, with the peak effect occurring around one to two hours. It can provide pain relief and fever reduction relatively quickly. However, for more persistent or severe pain, it might take a bit longer to feel the full effect.
Keep in mind that the time it takes for ibuprofen to work can vary depending on factors like your individual metabolism, dosage, and whether you've taken it with food (which can sometimes slow absorption).
The most common side effects of ibuprofen are generally mild and may include:
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Headache
- Rash or skin irritation
In some cases, ibuprofen can cause more serious side effects, particularly with prolonged use, such as:
- Stomach ulcers or bleeding
- Kidney problems
- Increased blood pressure
- Liver damage (rare)
- Allergic reactions, including swelling of the face or throat
If you experience any severe reactions, like shortness of breath, chest pain, severe stomach pain, or unusual swelling, contact a healthcare professional immediately. Always use ibuprofen as directed to minimize the risk of side effects.
LifeMD offers patients access to licensed healthcare providers who can offer guidance on healthcare concerns. Through our virtual platform, you can schedule same-day appointments and meet with a medical professional from the comfort of your home.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe you a medication if appropriate, and order it to your local pharmacy for your convenience. Skip the waiting room with LifeMD, make an appointment today to get started.