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Archive for the ‘Anti-Inflammatory’ Category

What is Motrin?

Motrin is Pfizer’s trade name for ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which is also marketed as Brufen, Nurofen, Advil and Nuprin. It is used as an analgesic for pain, particularly pain associated with inflammation, and for dysmenorrhea. Motrin may also be used as a treatment for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

All NSAIDs work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins in the body. Prostaglandins are required for the generation of pain, inflammation and fevers. Because it blocks prostaglandin production, Motrin is useful for reducing pain in skeletal and muscle injury or inflammation, relieving the pain and swollen joints typical of certain forms of arthritis, and reducing fever.

What does Motrin look like?

Motrin is available in a range of various colored and shaped pills with a strength of from 50 to 600 mg.

Motrin dosing and administration

The standard recommended self-administration dose for adults and children over 12 is 200 mg every four to six hours as needed to control pain or fever. This dosage may be doubled if relief is not obtained from 200 mg. However the daily dosage of Motrin should not be more than 1200 mg. Motrin should not be taken continuously for more than ten days without seeking medical attention. For moderate pain or dysmenorrhea, 400 mg of Motrin every four to six hours as needed is the standard starting dose. For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the dosage is between 1200 and 3200 mg per day divided into smaller doses at regular intervals. The full effect of Motrin for the relief of arthritis may not be felt for up to two weeks.

Common adverse effects from Motrin

Common side effects include nausea, indigestion, gastrointestinal ulceration, elevated liver enzymes, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, priapism and hypertension. Less frequent side effects have included heart failure, kidney problems, confusion and bronchospasm. Like other NSAID’s Motrin may cause photosensitivity. The use of Motrin at high dosages has been linked to increased risk of heart attack.

Motrin warnings and precautions

Motrin should not be used in patients with inflammatory bowel disease because it may cause gastric bleeding and ulceration. Motrin should be taken with caution if you have any kind of heart disease, asthma, hypertension, liver or kidney problems, hemophilia, diabetes, nasal polyps, lupus, stomach ulcers or any allergies. You should inform your doctor before taking Motrin if you are a heavy alcohol user or if you smoke.

Interactions with Motrin

If Motrin is administered to patients taking aspirin as cardiovascular protection, it may interfere with the blood thinning action of aspirin and thus reduce its effectiveness. Motrin also has the potential to interact with other NSAIDs and with Warfarin, Lithium, many diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers and corticosteroids such as prednisone and hydrocortisone. A number of herbs and herbal supplements may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with Motrin. These include feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St John’s wort, fish oil and dong quai.