A heart patient has suffered from gastrointestinal bleeding due to ibuprofen. What is the right treatment?

Question

My father, the heart patient, suffered from a minor heart attack a month ago. Lately he was prescribed ibuprofen for pain relief. After 3 days of medication (precribed dosage) he suffered from nausea, and blood vomiting. He is in intensive care unit right now. They have cleansed his system via laxatives. Not sure about the extent of damage though. What is the best way of recovery?

Answer 1

ibuprofen is quite a good pain relief medication, but bleeding from the stomach is a known side effect.

your father should be put on other pain relief medication, and even that taken carefully only when necessary.

your dad would require a scope, to see the condition of his stomach after he has reasonably recovered. ideally before he is discharged from the hospital.

he would also reqiure medication to further protect his stomach for some time since he has suffered one episode of bleeding.

on his recovery, as family, make sure he takes his medication, try to give him the best environment to reduce his fears and stress and it is very important that he starts taking all his meals on time.

all the best to your dad. hope he recovers well.

Answer 2

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug originally marketed as Nurofen. It is used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, primary dysmenorrhoea, fever, and as an analgesic, especially where there is an inflammatory component.

Why did your father's doctor prescribe IBUPROFEN?

Your father has an Inflammatory disease--which is connected to the heart. It is just for relief of the above mentioned.

Maybe your father is allergic to this drug. You should prefer another drug for your father to use.

Answer 3

In ICU, they will be very particular about his Hb% and ABG at room temp. They must have definitely put him on i/v antacid, and on stabilizing they will go for Scan of the GIT to rule out any ulcer, hep profile or underlying disease., as the bleeding in three days in unusual.
All I can tell you is to wait and see policy and i am hope he will be in the ward once condition stable.

NB: ENDOSCOPY IS CONTRAINDICATED IN CARDIAC PATIENTS.
Hope your father recovers soon.