By Kate Lally

Copyright dailyrecord

If you’re feeling under the weather, it’s likely you’ve reached for ibuprofen at some point. While this medicine is generally safe for most adults and teenagers aged 17 and over, there are certain groups who may not be suitable for it. Ibuprofen comes in a variety of forms including tablets, capsules, liquid and granules. The NHS provides guidance on its website about who should avoid ibuprofen and highlights potential side effects, some of which may not be widely known. For example, the NHS advises against taking ibuprofen orally or applying it to your skin if you’ve previously had an allergic reaction or symptoms such as wheezing, a runny nose or a skin reaction after using aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen. The guidance also recommends that pregnant women steer clear of this medication. Additionally, people of a certain age might not realise that using ibuprofen increases their risk of stomach ulcers. According to the NHS: “If you’re over 65, ibuprofen can make you more likely to get stomach ulcers. Your doctor will prescribe you a medicine to protect your stomach if you’re taking ibuprofen for a long-term condition.” Anyone wanting to check whether ibuprofen is appropriate for them should inform their GP if they have ever had stomach bleeding or a perforation due to an NSAID, have more than one instance of a stomach perforation, stomach bleeding or a stomach ulcer, or if they have a health condition that increases risk of bleeding. Those who are pregnant or trying to conceive, who suffer from severe heart failure, severe kidney failure or severe liver failure, have uncontrolled high blood pressure, have heart disease or mild to moderate heart failure, or if you’ve previously had a stroke, have kidney or live problems, asthma, hay fever, allergies, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis should also speak to a doctor before taking ibuprofen. You should also avoid taking ibuprofen if you have chickenpox, is it can increase the risk of certain infections and skin reactions.