Why you shouldn't overdo it with Brufen

Brufen is one of the most widely sold and used NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) in Italy, and also in several other countries around the world: it has proven to be a very useful medicine against various pains (headache, menstruation, toothache, backache), fever and inflammation. At the same time, and even more so given its increasingly widespread use, Brufen should not be wasted by abusing it and using it as if it were an aspirin.

The active ingredient in Brufen is ibuprofen, a substance derived from propionic acid recognized for its analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The drug is typically administered in conjunction with treatments for inflammation, as the medication inhibits certain natural molecules that in turn synthesize molecules that accelerate the inflammatory process. Brufen has become very popular and widespread.

But the excessive, compulsive and repeated use of Brufen, a useful and powerful drug, has a series of contraindications, and as also reported theIstituto Superiore di Sanita, in some cases this drug can be responsible for even rather serious side effects.

Side effects

Clinical conditions that may emerge following the waste of excessive intake of Brufen can affect:

• The gastrointestinal tract: Ibuprofen can irritate the gastric mucosa and, if taken in excess, can cause gastritis and ulcers
• The immune system
• The cardiovascular system
• Psychological well-being
• The skin
• The kidneys and urinary ducts
• The haemolymphopoietic system
• The liver system

In the most severe cases, especially in at-risk individuals, kidney failure and heart failure with developments such as heart attack or stroke have been observed.

At the psychiatric level, the drug may increase the risk of insomnia, trough, even the onset of episodes of hallucinations and confusional states.

Regarding the gastrointestinal system, which are also the most commonly experienced adverse events by patients, peptic ulcers may occur, or gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation may occur. The latter has been reported very rarely.

Finally, infections or infestations may emerge with the onset of symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, and fatigue.

The increased risk of heart attack

According to a major meta-analysis published in the journal The Lancet and also taken up by theAIFA (Italian Medicines Agency), the prolonged use of some painkillers from the NSAID family, such as Brufen, is associated with an increased risk of vascular events such as heart attack, stroke and death from cardiovascular events.

When you cannot take Brufen

The Brufen It should not be taken under any circumstances if you are hypersensitive or allergic to ibuprofen or any of the other ingredients of the drug. This is especially true if you experience problems with taking analgesics, antipyretics, NSAIDs, and aspirin.

This medicine should not be used in the presence of the following clinical conditions:

• Severe heart failure
• Severe kidney failure
• Hepatic failure
• Previous or current episodes of peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration.
• Clinical pathologies with bleeding

Furthermore, it should not be administered to children under 12 years of age and to women in the third month of pregnancy.

How to use Brufen safely

To avoid risks from excessive and too continuous use of Brufen, it is essential to follow some indications:

• Do not exceed the maximum daily dose indicated in the drug leaflet or prescribed by the doctor.
• Do not take the medicine for more than 3-4 consecutive days (for fever or severe pain), unless otherwise medically indicated.
• Avoid concomitant use with alcohol or other anti-inflammatory drugs.