Don't Take Ibuprofen With This Common Medication Before Asking Your Doctor First

Ibuprofen is one of the most popular over-the-counter medications, and no one would blame you if you wanted to take some for your headache or after-exercise muscle soreness. However, you shouldn't assume that ibuprofen won't harm you just because you can buy it without a prescription. You might experience serious interactions if you take ibuprofen with other drugs, such as gabapentin. A prescription taken to manage epileptic seizures or tame nerve-related discomfort in those who have received a shingles diagnosis, gabapentin is thought to suppress brain-related electrical relays, according to WebMD. Though the drug has some known side effects, including gastrointestinal distress, dizziness, fever, and mood changes, it can be well-tolerated when taken according to a healthcare provider's recommended dosage.

In some cases, gabapentin may be used to treat other conditions than those listed above. For example, a 2015 study published in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research experimented with using low doses of gabapentin to improve strength among subjects with carpal tunnel syndrome. The researchers found that subjects who took gabapentin experienced increased pinching and gripping abilities without side effects from the drug. Similarly, a 2021 article from Advances in Motion indicated that low doses of gabapentin could have a positive impact on people with dyspepsia-induced gastric pain. Taking gabapentin alone can be helpful. Yet, it may be unwise to take it with ibuprofen unless a doctor says otherwise.

By taking gabapentin and ibuprofen together, you may end up with twice as many of the same side effects. For instance, Mayo Clinic explains that some people who take ibuprofen experience a variety of gastrointestinal concerns like bloating and nausea. As mentioned previously, gabapentin can cause some of those same reactions. Ibuprofen can also affect some people's respiratory systems, as can gabapentin, as noted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In fact, gabapentin may make breathing challenging. Consequently, using both drugs at the same time could put you at greater risk of having abnormal abdominal and respiratory responses.

With that said, one 1999 study from Anesthesiology indicated a possible use for gabapentin and ibuprofen for predictable pain management after injury. Additionally, Mayo Clinic doesn't include ibuprofen in its lengthy list of drugs known to interact with gabapentin. Nevertheless, you should speak with your physician prior to taking the medications as a precautionary health decision.

No matter what types of medications you take, you should do your best to avoid possible and known interactions. Many drugs have the potential to interact with other drugs — and some medications will interact poorly with vitamins and supplements. Even if you're careful, you need to avoid taking too much of any medication at once. As a Reuters article from 2018 shows, 15% of adults who take ibuprofen or other NSAIDs may be overdosing, according to a 2018 study conducted at Boston University.

Ultimately, you should take care to know and monitor all the drugs you put into your system. At the same time, you should make all your healthcare providers aware of any changes in your medications. You can't assume that every provider knows all the drugs you've received prescriptions for. Being upfront helps you take charge of your health and avoid preventable complications.

So, what should you do if you have a throbbing migraine or are feeling a bit achy while taking gabapentin? Contact your doctor before self-dosing with ibuprofen. It's an extra step that could save you from problems down the road.