Motrin

Description

Motrin is a pain relief medication used to alleviate various kinds of pain. The medication is also referred to as Ibuprofen.

How it works

Since it belongs to a class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Motrin works by reducing the level of inflammation in the body. This is achieved by blocking the substances that cause inflammation naturally in the body.

Uses

Motrin will relieve pain caused due to various reasons. This includes headache, dental ache, muscle ache, menstrual cramps and arthritis. It is also useful in relieving fever and symptoms that come with common cold or the flu.

Dosage

This medication must be taken once in every 4-6 hours, along with a full glass of water. Do not lie down immediately after taking this drug. Stay up for at least 10 minutes before you go to bed. If you experience stomach upset due to this medication, try taking your dose with food or milk.

Your dosage will be only determined by a healthcare provider. Do not increase the dosage in an attempt to enhance the effectiveness of the medication. This will only make matters worse. If you are using this medication for arthritis, make sure to strictly follow your physician’s instructions. Your physician might prescribe you a small dose to reduce the risk of stomach bleeding. In this case, do not increase the dosage unless your physician asks you to do so.

When using this medication for certain conditions, such as arthritis, it can take at least two weeks for the drug to work. In this case, be patient and follow your prescription.

Side effects

Although it is unlikely, sometimes you can develop some allergic reactions and experience certain side effects due to this treatment. Common side effects of consuming Motrin include:

Headache
Diarrhea
Constipation
Dizziness
Vomiting
Nausea

There is also a chance for you to experience some severe side effects such as:

Easy bleeding
Hearing changes
Vision changes
Sudden weight gain
Unexplained stiff neck
Signs of kidney problems
Unusual tiredness

If you do experience such side effects, make sure to inform your physician as soon as possible.

Precautions

The simplest way to decrease the risk of the above side effects is to consume this medication the right way. In this case, make sure to follow the precautions given below.

Before taking this medication, inform your healthcare provider if you are allergic to this drug.
Inform your physician if you have a history of liver disease, kidney problems and blood disorders.
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, which is a sign of kidney problems.
Reduce alcohol and tobacco usage to reduce the risk of stomach bleeding.
Be careful with the doses when you give Motrin to older adults since they are more sensitive to side effects such as stomach bleeding.

Self-care

If you become pregnant during the course of the treatment, make sure to only use Motrin when it is essential. Overusing this medication or following your regular timetable is not recommended.

This medication can be passed on to an infant through breast milk. So, it is not entirely safe for you to nurse your child during the treatment period.