Pharmaceutical alert: These people should avoid ibuprofen in the summer

O ibuprofen is a common medicine used by many people in pain relief. During the summer, and in order to relieve muscle pain caused by hot weather, some people take it without thinking about the consequences. A pharmacist left the alert and reveals people who should avoid taking ibuprofen during the summer months.

To Mirror, pharmacist Hanna Yusuf explained what is at stake and the main reason why some people should stop taking this common medicine during the hottest weeks of summer.

Ibuprofen: Who should avoid in summer

“ Some people notice that their joints become more swollen or uncomfortable during the hot weather. Higher temperatures can cause dilation of blood vessels and contribute to fluid retention in some, which may worsen existing joint symptoms” explains the pharmacist.

In this way, it warns that there are five groups of people who should avoid taking ibuprofen during very hot days. One of them is the pregnantespecially those over 20 weeks old. 

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“Ibuprofen may affect the development of the baby, including the heart and amount of amniotic fluid, therefore it should only be taken with medical authorisation.”

On the other hand, people with heart failure or liver disease they should also avoid ibuprofen. “Ibuprofen can aggravate these conditions, causing the body to retain excess fluids and salt, further overloading an already weakened heart or liver.”

The risks of taking ibuprofen during hot weather

Also who suffers from kidney disease you should have more attention. “Ibuprofen increases the pressure on the kidneys, which are already weakened and may lead to an even greater risk of renal failure.”

Pharmaceutical Hanna Yusuf also warned people taking medicines for blood pressure and who has had some kind of adverse reaction to ibuprofen and analgesics. 

“Ibuprofen is one of the most commonly used painkillers and, for most people, taking it occasionally is no concern. The problem is that hot weather can increase the risk of dehydration, and dehydration is one of the factors that can make ibuprofen more harmful to the kidneys. Ithis is particularly important for people who already have kidney disease, heart failure, liver problems or who take certain medicines for blood pressure” warns the expert.

Still, even if it belongs to one of these risk groups, it does not mean that you should leave this medicine behind. You should always consult your doctor.

“ I'm not saying people should stop taking the prescription drugs or throw away the ibuprofen. The important thing is that if you belong to one of the highest-risk groups, it's worth talking to a pharmacist about the safest option for you during a heat wave. In many cases, paracetamol may be a more appropriate choice,” continues Hanna Yusuf.