Why You Shouldn't Take Ibuprofen To Treat Stomach Pain (And What To Take Instead)

Ibuprofen treats many of your common pains, from a headache to sore feet. You can even reach for ibuprofen if you have a fever. 

It might make sense to take ibuprofen if you have stomach pain as well. However, ibuprofen isn't the best medication to treat stomach pain, says Dr. Ming "Frank" Wu, a physician at AdventHealth Littleton. "Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) work by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes, COX-1 and COX-2, which are used by the body to make signaling molecules called eicosanoids," he said. These molecules make us feel pain. You have these COX enzymes in the lining of your gastrointestinal tract. "Inhibiting these enzymes prevents the production of prostaglandin, one of the signaling molecules necessary for the protection of the stomach lining (gastric mucosa)," Wu said. Taking ibuprofen over time can wear down your stomach lining, which means your stomach acid can irritate your stomach. That can lead to ulcers.

Your stomach pain can have many causes that will involve different treatments. If you feel gas or bloating, look for an over-the-counter treatment that has simethicone such as Gas-X. Simethicone will break up the bubbles in your gut that can cause pain as they expand. 

A burning sensation in your stomach could be heartburn, so it's better to take an antacid like Pepcid. Antacids like these will often have three ingredients to relieve heartburn — one to lower your stomach acid and two to balance the acidity in your stomach.

Sometimes constipation can cause stomach pain, so you can reach for a few foods to help you poop instantly. Stool softeners and laxatives can also treat constipation and reduce the pain associated with it.

For other types of stomach pain, Wu suggests taking acetaminophen (Tylenol). "Tylenol works in the brain and spinal cord by binding to specific receptors in the brain that decrease pain signaling," he said. "Tylenol, however, is not considered to possess any anti-inflammatory activity because of its weak inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzymes." You should also check with your doctor if your stomach pain is severe or lasts for a few days.

Ibuprofen is generally safe to take every once in a while for your aches, pains, fever, and cramps. You can safely take one or two 200-milligram tablets every four to six hours up to three times a day (or a maximum of 1,200 milligrams). People taking prescription ibuprofen can take a maximum of 3,200 milligrams. Remember that some cold and flu medications also might have this pain reliever, so be sure to check the labels so you don't take too much ibuprofen.

It's a good idea to take ibuprofen with food to help protect your stomach (here are the best beverages to take with ibuprofen). Nausea, stomach pain, and heartburn are side effects of taking ibuprofen. You might also experience swelling in your legs because your body might retain water after taking it. People with high blood pressure should check with a doctor before taking ibuprofen. You might also want to consult a doctor if you need to take ibuprofen for more than 10 days.

"NSAIDs also can adversely affect the kidneys, heart, liver, and platelets," Wu said. "Long-term use of NSAIDs can cause decreased kidney function, bleeding issues, and increased risk of heart attack and atrial fibrillation. Although rare, there also is a slightly increased risk of liver damage."