Side effects                                        

 

Prolonged use of NSAIDs can have serious side effects, such as stomach ulcers.  This has meant that there has been hesitation in introducing the widespread use of these drugs against the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

 

Common side effects includes:

*  Stomach upset and irritation

 

More uncommon side effects include:

*  Nausea,

*  Vomiting,

*  Constipation

*  Diarrhoea

 

These are fairly minor side effects although there can be more serious risks or rare side effects, which become more severe when taken for long periods of time. 

 

The most recognised of these is gastrointestinal ulceration and/or bleeding, which can occur through chronic use of ibuprofen and can occur at any time, often without any warning.  Gastrointestinal ulceration occurs because ibuprofen blocks the production of the stomach’s protective mucus barrier.

 

For this reason, patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration are advised to avoid use or prolonged use of ibuprofen and should be monitored closely during the period of use.

 

Liver toxicity is also linked to the use of ibuprofen and can result in jaundice and fatal hepatitis.  The drug is usually metabolised by the liver and so prolonged use can result in accumulation in the liver, therefore increasing the risk of toxicity.