Do NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen and diclofenac cause skin disease?

Question

I took ibuprofen (Nurofen brand) every day for about a year to relieve muscle pain after a motorcycle accident. About 4 months after starting the NSAID's, a skin complaint started to appear that eventually covered all of my body except my face. It was diagnosed as GA (= granuloma annulare). The GA continued long after I stopped taking the ibuprofen.

I believe the NSAID drugs and the GA to be connected, but my doctor says there is no evidence. My present theory is that taking NSAID's (at maximum recommended daily dose) makes the skin very sensitive to the effects of sunlight (or possibly just to the infra-red heat component), and exposure to sunlight under those conditions causes GA.

Does anyone have any experience of this, know anything about it, or can tell me where to go to find people who do?

I live in Thailand, where the sunlight is always very strong, but I come from England and have naturally light-coloured skin.

Answer 1

theres no known cause for GA, some say its a immune response. Ibuprofen and dicofenac do have side effects that can cause GA like symptoms... Theres no direct link.... yet.. Everyones body reacts differently. Maybe yours acted in this way. Although there are recent reports/studies that showed that taking dicofenac for long periods of time can increase your risk of gettin cancer... but what doesnt these days!?

Answer 2

I've been taking Ibuprofen and it's derivatives regularly, since an industrial accident in 1995 left me with chronic arthritis in both feet. I have never had any problems with my skin.

In very rare cases, Ibuprofen may cause minor skin rashes, but I've never heard of any connection with GA.

However, NSAIDs can affect the liver and kidneys, which in turn may exaggerate a predisposition to skin problems.

Answer 3

The most common side effects from ibuprofen are rash, ringing in the ears, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and heartburn. Ibuprofen may cause ulceration of the stomach or intestine, and the ulcers may bleed. maximum daily dose of ibuprofen is 1.2g per day.
The rash could be the side effect of ibuprofen, but i never heard of ibuprofen causing skin disease.

Answer 4

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce pain, inflammation, and fever, but it's tempting to assume they're 100% safe. But they have side effects, just as prescription drugs and alternative or complementary preparations do, especially when taken in heavy doses for extended periods. The downside is that they also block prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining, regulate blood flow to the kidneys, and initiate blood clotting. Stomach inflammation, peptic ulcers, and intestinal bleeding are major hazards for NSAID users.
NSAIDs also slightly increase the risk for hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain). Overuse may cause ringing in the ears, dizziness, kidney and liver problems, or high blood pressure. Fortunately, many of these side effects are uncommon and go away when you stop taking the NSAID.
If you need to use NSAIDs for an extended period, ask your clinician.

Answer 5

Yes they have been linked to both OTC and prescription NSAID's. The most severe of these skin conditions are Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis,and Stevens Johnson Syndrome.Along with several minor skin rashes.There is much info at Google.Take care. SW FNP

Answer 6

Well I was taking ibuprofen for my wisdom tooth for about a month and I developed eczema on my knees and elbows from it.My skin was very sensitive too.It went away after I stopped taking them

Answer 7

I take NSAIDs every few hours for swelling, for months now with no problem...my son was having a strange allergic type swelling of his face for some time...the allergist said to stop advil...although he was not allergic to it, it can cause strange facial edema in some people...he has not had the problem since he has not taken advil...the allergist said some people have odd reactions to NSAIDS...so it could be, but you will never get a dr. to tell you for sure.

Answer 8

i think you are right in what you say for if the rash started when you started your treatment it proves that you must have a allergy to this sort of medicine i surgest that you try natourel nature herbs an medicines they work for most of my pains see a naturest an to get rid of the rash try using vitamin enriched body cream + shower or bath gels i find olay best i hope this as helped you have a nice day

Answer 9

I'm not sure about the sunlight bit of your theory. Surely the areas that were exposed to sun would get the rash such as your face and the bits that never see the sun would not develop a rash if this was true.

Answer 10

I have been taking the Neurofen for about a year with no problems, The only thing that would worry me would be the codine in it