Dr Hilary discusses ibuprofen as possible COVID-19 treatment

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It works by reducing hormones that cause pain and swelling in the body, according to the NHS. You can buy most types of ibuprofen from pharmacies and supermarkets, but there are certain medications that you should not mix it with, or you may experience unwanted side effects.

It’s safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine, according to the NHS.

However, the health body warns that you should not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers such as aspirin or naproxen “without talking to a pharmacist or doctor” about this first.

Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is a medication used to reduce pain, fever, or inflammation.

Naproxen is a medicine that reduces inflammation and pain in joints and muscles. It’s used to treat diseases of joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The reason you should be cautious mixing them, is because aspirin and naproxen belong to the same group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as ibuprofen.

If you mix these painkillers this may increase the chance of you getting side effects like a stomach ache.

Paracetamol is generally not considered as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

The NHS says most people can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, “but some people need to be careful about taking them”. For example, if you have any problems with your heart, liver, kidneys, blood pressure, circulation or bowels.

Indeed, you should tell your doctor if you’re taking certain medicines before you start taking ibuprofen, according to the NHS.

These medicines include blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin, medicines for high blood pressure and steroid medicines such as betamethasone.

The same applies for some antibiotics, some antidepressants, and diabetes medicines such as gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide and tolbutamide.

“Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements,” says the NHS.

There are also possible side effects of taking ibuprofen.

The common side effects of ibuprofen taken orally happen in more than one in 100 people. These include feeling sick, indigestion and headaches.

There are also some more serious side effects, and you should call your doctor immediately if you experience them, the NHS advice reads.

These include black poo or blood in your vomit, blood in your pee or not peeing at all, severe chest or stomach pain and difficulty breathing.

Applying ibuprofen to your skin can also cause your skin to become more sensitive than normal to sunlight, says the NHS.

Ibuprofen is not normally recommended in pregnancy unless it’s prescribed by a doctor.

The NHS suggests that paracetamol is the best painkiller to take during pregnancy.

“Ibuprofen is safe to take by mouth or use on your skin if you are breastfeeding,” it adds.

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