Can I Eat After Taking Ibuprofen?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can I eat after taking ibuprofen? Overall,

changing from taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen with food to just water – unless there is stomach upset

– may improve pain relief and is very unlikely to harm people who take the drug occasionally and as directed.

When can I eat after taking ibuprofen?

Taking medication after eating or with food usually means taking medication

30 minutes to one hour after a meal

. For medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (ibuprofen, aspirin), metformin for diabetes and steroid medication, these need to be taken after eating.

Can you take ibuprofen before eating?

In limited cases, for fast relief of pain symptoms,

taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach may be fine

. A magnesium-containing antacid may offer some protection and help provide faster relief. For long-term use, it’s helpful to take a protectant to avoid GI side effects.

What should I avoid after taking ibuprofen?

It’s safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine. But do not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like

aspirin or naproxen

without talking to a pharmacist or doctor. Ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen belong to the same group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

What should I eat when taking ibuprofen?


Crackers, rice, bread, peanut butter, and other neutral foods

do a good job coating your stomach and prompting digestion, which helps your body to metabolize your medication efficiently.

Why should you eat before taking ibuprofen?

There’s reasonable evidence that

faster ibuprofen, or other NSAID absorption, will lead to faster pain relief

. Peak concentrations of ibuprofen in blood occur between 1.5 to three hours after a 200mg dose in people who take it with a meal.

How long does it take for ibuprofen to kick in?

Generally it takes

about 30 minutes

for you to begin feeling the effects of ibuprofen. However, this timeframe can vary from one person to the next, and for different reasons. When ibuprofen begins to work, you’ll typically start to notice a decrease in pain or fever.

Does ibuprofen make you sleepy?

The most common side effects of ibuprofen are: headache. dizziness.

drowsiness, fatigue and restless sleep

.

Is a banana enough to take ibuprofen?

And for athletes or just people trying to go to the gym, the research shows that

using a banana instead of ibuprofen can give you some of the same results when it comes to inflammation

. “Ibuprofen, like Advil and Motrin, will knock down that gene.

How can I protect my stomach from ibuprofen?


Take NSAIDs at the end of a full meal or with an antacid

Drugs that reduce stomach irritation include misoprostol (Cytotec), or a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (Protonix), lansoprazole (Prevacid), or rabeprazole (Aciphex).

What is the proper way to take ibuprofen?

  1. adults – can usually take 1 or 2 tablets (200mg) every 4 to 6 hours, but shouldn’t take more than 1,200mg (6 x 200mg) tablets in the space of 24 hours.
  2. children under 16 – may need to take a lower dose, depending on their age; check the packet or leaflet, or ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.

Does milk cut the effect of ibuprofen?

How to Take the Medication –

Ibuprofen should be taken with milk or food to reduce the chances of stomach irritation

.

When can I eat after taking medicine?

As a general rule, medicines that are supposed to be taken on an empty stomach should be taken about an hour before a meal, or

2 hours after a meal

. Forgetting these instructions on rare occasions is unlikely to do any harm, but taking these medicines with food regularly may mean they don’t work.

Can ibuprofen upset your stomach?


Ibuprofen can cause ulcers in your stomach or gut, especially if you take it by mouth for a long time or in big doses

. If you need to take it for a long time your doctor may also prescribe a medicine to help protect your stomach.

What are the side effects of ibuprofen?

  • constipation.
  • diarrhea.
  • gas or bloating.
  • dizziness.
  • nervousness.
  • ringing in the ears.

Is it OK to take ibuprofen every day?

While you can continue taking ibuprofen for a few days,

it’s not recommended that you take it daily to relieve pain unless your doctor has prescribed it

. Medications like ibuprofen can irritate your stomach lining and cause problems ranging from mild nausea to ulcers.

How long does ibuprofen last for pain?

It can take up to 24 hours to completely rid your system of ibuprofen, even though its effects generally last about

4 to 6 hours

. According to the prescribing information, the ibuprofen half-life is about two hours. In case of an ibuprofen overdose, call 911 or Poison Control at 800-222-1222.

How long does ibuprofen stay in your body?

Ibuprofen is rapidly metabolized and eliminated in the urine. The excretion of ibuprofen is virtually complete

24 hours

after the last dose. The serum half-life is 1.8 to 2.0 hours.

Is ibuprofen a painkiller?


Ibuprofen is an everyday painkiller

for a range of aches and pains, including back pain, period pain and toothache. It also treats inflammation such as sprains and strains, and pain from arthritis. It’s available as tablets, capsules, granules and as a liquid that you swallow.

Does ibuprofen make you gain weight?


Taking ibuprofen doesn’t increase body fat

and it won’t make you eat more. However, it can affect your kidneys if you already have kidney problems or if you take it frequently for long periods of time. When your kidneys don’t function properly, you can retain water, which may appear to be weight gain.

Is 800 mg ibuprofen strong?

The absolute maximum daily dose for adults is 3200 mg.

Do not take more than 800 mg in a single dose

. Only use the smallest dose needed to alleviate your swelling, pain, or fever. The child’s weight determines the ibuprofen dosage for children.

How long does it take stomach to heal after ibuprofen?

In most cases, the damage is minor and your stomach heals completely

about five days

later. Still, regular doses can cause dyspepsia, lingering pain, or discomfort in the stomach.

How common is stomach bleeding from ibuprofen?

The relative risk of any GI bleeding-related event ranged from

1.1 to 2.4

for users of OTC-specific doses of ibuprofen compared to non-users. Conclusions: Studies reported low incidence of GI bleeding events with use of OTC ibuprofen.

Which ibuprofen is easiest on stomach?

Studies have found that

ibuprofen and meloxicam

may be less likely to bother your stomach, while ketorolac, aspirin, and indomethacin are associated with a higher risk of GI problems. Read more about how to pick the right NSAID for your needs here.

How long should I wait to drink milk after taking medicine?

“You need to leave a window either side of taking the antibiotic — avoid milk and other dairy products, such as ice cream, custard or cheese, for

two hours

before and afterwards.

How long does it take for a pill to get into your bloodstream?

After oral administration of a drug, absorption into the bloodstream occurs in the stomach and intestine, which usually takes about

one to six hours

.

Is drinking water still considered an empty stomach?

Liquids typically leave your stomach quickly. For example,

after you drink a glass of water, it’s estimated that only 50 percent of it will be left in your stomach after 10 minutes

. Solid foods often need to be broken down and liquified further, which means they usually take longer to leave your stomach.

How many hours after eating is your stomach empty?

After you eat, it takes about

six to eight hours

for food to pass through your stomach and small intestine. Food then enters your large intestine (colon) for further digestion, absorption of water and, finally, elimination of undigested food.

Can I take ibuprofen 1 hour after food?

How long does it take for ibuprofen to wear off?

It can take

up to 24 hours

to completely rid your system of ibuprofen, even though its effects generally last about 4 to 6 hours. According to the prescribing information, the ibuprofen half-life is about two hours. In case of an ibuprofen overdose, call 911 or Poison Control at 800-222-1222.

How can I protect my stomach from ibuprofen?


Take NSAIDs at the end of a full meal or with an antacid

Drugs that reduce stomach irritation include misoprostol (Cytotec), or a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (Protonix), lansoprazole (Prevacid), or rabeprazole (Aciphex).

How long does it take for ibuprofen to kick in?

Generally it takes

about 30 minutes

for you to begin feeling the effects of ibuprofen. However, this timeframe can vary from one person to the next, and for different reasons. When ibuprofen begins to work, you’ll typically start to notice a decrease in pain or fever.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.