Does ibuprofen make you sleepy?

Does ibuprofen make you sleepy?

Ibuprofen is a pain medication used to treat a number of conditions such as headaches, menstrual cramps, tooth pain, muscle pains, and more. It can also be used to alleviate minor cold or flu symptoms and decrease fevers.

Dizziness and drowsiness have been reported as some negative effects, making some individuals believe that it can make one sleepy.

Is ibuprofen making you sleepy? Continue reading to learn why.

But first, let’s take a look at what ibuprofen is.

What is ibuprofen and how does it work?

It’s a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that prevents your body from manufacturing certain natural substances that cause inflammation including edema, fever, and pain/discomfort.

How does it work?

Prostaglandins are produced by the body in response to damage. Inflammation generated by these hormone-like substances causes swelling, fever, and increased pain sensitivity. Ibuprofen blocks the production of these pain mediators called prostaglandins.

Ibuprofen side effects: what are they?

Ibuprofen, like any other medication, has a number of side effects, some of which are both common and dangerous.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common adverse effects of ibuprofen.

• stomach pain
• heartburn
• nausea
• vomiting
• gas
• constipation
• diarrhea

Here are some very rare but severe side effects of ibuprofen

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Decreased kidney function
• Increased blood pressure
• Ulcer
• Bleeding in the stomach and intestine
• Liver failure
• Allergic reaction

Does ibuprofen make you sleepy?

Not necessarily. Ibuprofen has side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness. These side effects, although associated with sleep, may not likely make you feel sleepy.

A study conducted also showed that taking daily dose of 1200 mg ibuprofen did not produce any clinically or statistically significant alterations in the character and quality of nighttime sleep

How long does ibuprofen take to take effect?

It takes around 30 minutes for the effects of ibuprofen to become apparent. This timeframe, on the other hand, may differ from one person to the next for a variety of reasons.

When the ibuprofen begins to work, you should notice a decrease in pain and temperature. The anti-inflammatory properties of ibuprofen usually take a week or more to set in.

systemic ibuprofen levels peaks after 1 to 2 hours of intake. Ibuprofen, on the other hand, gets excreted from the body quickly. This is one of the reasons you may need to take a dose every 6 to 8 hours, depending on the disease being treated.

What factors determine how long it takes to work?

For some people, symptom relief may come quickly, while for others, it may take longer. This is because a variety of factors might influence how long it takes a treatment to work.

Some of the following factors may affect how quickly ibuprofen starts to work for you:

• your weight
• if you are taking any other medications at the same time
• your age,
• your overall health,
• if you have food in your stomach
• the dosage that’s taken

What is the standard dosage?

Ibuprofen is frequently supplied as a 200-milligram (mg) pill over-the-counter (OTC). To relieve your symptoms, it’s advisable to take the least effective dose. Ibuprofen is normally taken by mouth every 6 to 8 hours. A second pill may be given if the first one fails to relieve symptoms.

Take no more than 1,200 mg of ibuprofen in a single day. This equates to a limit of 6 OTC ibuprofen pills each day.

Also, don’t use ibuprofen for more than 10 days unless your doctor says so.

Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to cause stomach upset. As a result, it may be useful to take ibuprofen with a meal or milk.

Dose for children

Ibuprofen can be given to children in liquid form, chewable tablet form, or pill form. The kind which is preferable depends on the age of the child.

Ibuprofen dose is determined by the child’s body weight in youngsters under the age of 12.

If your child needs ibuprofen, talk to their doctor about the right amount and how often they should take it.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What’s the difference between ibuprofen and aspirin or paracetamol?

Ibuprofen, paracetamol, and aspirin are all good pain medications.

Paracetamol is a non-opioid and not an NSAID often used to treat mild to moderate pain. In the treatment of headaches and stomachaches, it may be more effective than ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen and aspirin are NSAIDs that work via similar mechanisms to alleviate pain including period pain and migraines.

What happens if I don’t remember to take my ibuprofen?

Because ibuprofen is intended to treat pain, you are less likely to skip a dose. Do not take two doses at the same time if you miss or skip a dosage. Simply follow your normal dosing routine.

Is tramadol and ibuprofen compatible?

Tramadol and ibuprofen can be taken at the same time to manage pain. They don’t seem to interact at all. Follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions carefully.

Is there anything I should stay away from in terms of food or drink?

You can eat and drink normally while taking any type of ibuprofen. To avoid stomach upset, take ibuprofen pills, capsules, granules, or liquid with food. It is not recommended to consume it on an empty stomach.

When taking ibuprofen, is it safe to drink alcohol or wine?

It is normally safe to drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen. If you’re taking ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules, or liquid, too much alcohol can upset your stomach.

Is it true that ibuprofen creates ulcers in the stomach?

If you use ibuprofen for a long time or in high doses as tablets, capsules, granules, or liquid, it can cause stomach or gut ulcers. Your doctor may prescribe a stomach-protecting drug if you need to take ibuprofen and are at risk of getting a stomach ulcer. Capsules, granules, or liquid are all options.

Summary

Dizziness and drowsiness are two of the rare side effects of ibuprofen. Although these side effects are related to sleep, they do not guarantee that you will fall asleep. This means that ibuprofen does not necessarily make you sleepy.