How bad is taking paracetamol/ibuproven every day?

Question

What are the long term effects? i have been taking paracetamol or ibuproven at least 3-4 times a week for 2 years due to ongoing dental pain, i have been to hospitals, facial clinics etc but they stillc annot get to the root of the problem.. anyway thats not the question, the question is how bad is taking painkillers this often and what are the long term effects?

please do not tell me to go to my dentist, i go at least once a month, as it says but no one can help.. this is not my question, i dont need help with my pain, i just need to know how bad taking pain killers are :) thank you :)

Answer 1

Simply answering your question, there are no particular problems associated with long term use of either drug at normal doses. Ibuprofen does increase the risk of ulcer and bleeding, but if taken with food the risk is small.

Answer 2

If these medications manage your pain then continue with them. There are a lot of analgesic medications with worse side effects.

paracetemol can cause liver damage in high doses, and has been known to cause other problems if taken above the recommended dose. Remember no more than 8 - 350 mg tablets per day. Otherwise no real problem, but remember that many combination meds, like cold and allergy formulas contain paracetemol and can give you to high a dose without your noticing. Be sure to read the labels.

Ibuprofen has been implicated in increased risk of heart attacks and stoke as well as the more common risk of gastric bleeding. Some studies have shown that more people die annually from NSAID related gastric bleeding than AIDS. The physician ordered dose, however, is as high as 800mg three times a day. Over the counter ibuprofen is usually 200 mg per tablet, so there is a lot of leeway before you hit a maximum dose if using over the counter ibuprofen according to the package directions.

These meds should be safe as long as taken as instructed by the package directions.

If your health care providers cannot diagnose the source of pain get another opinion. Pain is an indicator of an aberation of function and there is an underlying cause. See a head and neck specialist if your dentist and GP can't diagnose a source for your pain. Also a practitioner in pain medicine may give you some relief without the need for oral medications.

Good luck with your condition and I pray you get relief!

Answer 3

paracetamol can cause liver damage and ibuprofen stomach ulcers. however they can be taken for longer periods than recommended on the box on doctors instructions. eg i had flu and doc had me taking full dose of paracetamol ie 8 tabs a day for a month i was worried but she said it was ok. likewise ibuprofen doc suggested dose of 600mg for migraine - above the recommended dose as a one off. so under doctors supervision u can safely take what they recommend. do they know how much ur taking u should get advice from doctor or dentist on this.

Answer 4

I have been taking ibuprofen for 2 months every day, my doctor advised me to cut down to 2 times a day and just to make sure take with food as can cause 'toilet' problems, if you follow this rule you will be fine.

Answer 5

The primary thing I'd be worried about is liver damage as ib. gets processed through your liver and is rather hard on it. Go easy on your drinking, and never drink in conjunction with ib.

Stomach bleeding is another one. Higher tolerance to pain killers is another.

Answer 6

Ibuprofen;
Reported adverse drug reactions
Common adverse effects include: nausea, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal ulceration/bleeding, raised liver enzymes, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, priapism, salt and fluid retention, and hypertension.[5]

Infrequent adverse effects include: oesophageal ulceration, heart failure, hyperkalaemia, renal impairment, confusion, bronchospasm, rash.[5]

Very infrequent adverse effects include Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Answer 7

I believe heavy/longterm use damages the liver, and lessens its ability to re-heal itself also. The other bad thing about longterm use of these or any drugs, is the fact that the body builds up a resistance to them...so you need more to have the same effect...so your liver gets more of a pounding.Vicious circle!

Answer 8

I know you say you don't want help with your pain, but you sound as though you need it! It sounds similar to something my brother suffered with and transpired it was nothing to do with his teeth - he had an inflamed nerve in his face and was in agony.
His doctor gave him something called gabapentine which alters the brains perception of pain and it helped him. I suggest you visit your doctor again for help and advice

Answer 9

its best if u can avoid taking pills after all we werent born to take then think could cause some problems in the long run go to ur dentist and get cheched out

Answer 10

I'd say go to the doc, could be be trigeminal neuralagia, as Em says gabapentine is good for that