# Ibuprofen / liver damage **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 30, 2004, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929 "2004-06-30T19:38:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cedric45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@cedric45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cedric45)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/1 "2004-06-30T19:38:17Z")
We’ve all heard about Ibuprofen and the liver damage it can cause. My question is… is the damage caused by overdosing OR by long time use? Big difference there. I don’t want my neck and back to hurt, but, I don’t want to lose my liver and DIE! Anybody know? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![rfgdxm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c0e974/32.png) [@rfgdxm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rfgdxm)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/2 "2004-06-30T19:42:54Z")
Are you perhaps thinking of acetaminophen? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/3 "2004-06-30T19:47:03Z")
IANAD, but from what I understand, the liver damage is not solely a result of chronic ibuprofen use, but is the result of such use combined with another risk factor, such as chronic alcohol consumption, or hepatitis. This applies to some other NSAIDs, such as acetominophen (Tylenol), as well. I’m not aware of any studies linking such liver damage to single large doses, or infrequent occassional use. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/4 "2004-06-30T20:06:07Z")
I also wonder if you don’t mean acetaminophen (Tylenol) which predictably causes liver damage if taken in _acute_ overdose. There is little documented risk in long term, normal dosing of acetaminophen (a possible increased risk of kidney failure). Ibuprofen (Motrin et al) can rarely cause liver inflammation (hepatitis) and/or cholestasis (slowing of bile flow leading to jaundice). These are pretty infrequent occurrences and, at the risk of sounding patronizing, shouldn’t really be of any concern. On the other hand, stomach bleeding from Ibuprofen might be a cause for some consideration on your part (especially if you have a history of ulcer disease or even reflux). ---
**Author:** ![Burrido](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Burrido](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burrido)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/5 "2004-06-30T21:52:46Z")
Farthest thing from a doctor here, but I did have to take alot of ibruprofen for my wrists. When I finally got around to seeing a doctor, she prescribed Nambutrin (sp) which she said is just the industrial strength version. It was also easier on my stomach and liver. After seeing the price, I asked if I could just take ibruprofen and was advised that big doses of it (I was taking about 12 a day) were detremental to my liver. My mother is a RN and she suggested Vioxx, which is another anti-flammatory, and was easier on the liver/stomach. See a doctor first of course. The one thing I did find out, after seeing 3 different doctors, is that each one had their own recommendations. Vioxx did nothing for me personally. But Nambutrin (sp) kicks all sorts of ass. ---
**Author:** ![Burrido](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Burrido](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burrido)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/6 "2004-06-30T21:56:59Z")
“…which she said is just the industrial strength version.” Let me rephrase that. “…which she said is a FORM of the the industrial strength version.” The industrial strength version was called something else, i forget. In any rate, go see a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/7 "2004-06-30T22:28:02Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > This applies to some other NSAIDs, such as acetominophen (Tylenol), as well. Acetaminophen is **not** an NSAID. Otherwise, see what **KarlGauss** wrote for a medically accurate addressing of the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2004, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/8 "2004-07-01T00:07:48Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > Acetaminophen is **not** an NSAID. Hmmm. I’ve always thought that it was. [This guy](http://www.bmtinfonet.org/newsletters/issue16/primer.html) says it is, but most sources agree with you. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2004, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/9 "2004-07-01T01:25:03Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > Hmmm. I’ve always thought that it was. [This guy](http://www.bmtinfonet.org/newsletters/issue16/primer.html) says it is, but most sources agree with you. That guy is flat-out wrong. NSAID stands for “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug” and acetaminophen has no anti-inflammatory properties. Relieves pain and reduces fever just like NSAIDS, but doesn’t do squat for inflammation. Which isn’t a bad thing, since most people don’t need inflammation reduced by drugs. ---
**Author:** ![tanookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tanookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanookie)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2004, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/10 "2004-07-01T01:32:34Z")
While most of this stuff is rare - if you’ve already got a strike or two against you then you might want to be careful with the OTC stuff. I have kidney issues and have been told not to use either tylenol or ibubrofin. I’m allergic to aspirin. Sucks to be me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2004, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/11 "2004-07-01T01:44:43Z")
[Cecil wrote a column](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000929.html) on acetaminophen and liver failure. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2004, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/12 "2004-07-01T01:50:13Z")
> [@tanookie](#): > > I have kidney issues and have been told not to use either tylenol or ibubrofin. I’m allergic to aspirin. Guess you’ll have to stick with the opiate narcotics, then. 😃 Seriously, in a pinch I expect your doc will be able to formulate a plan for treating your pain appropriately. You may want to ask your doc about sulindac (Clinoril). It’s an NSAID which seems to have fewer untoward effects on the kidney than other NSAIDS. From: [NSAIDS](http://arthritiscentral.com/html/medsnsaids.htm) > [@](#): > > In patients with underlying renal disease, a case has been made for Clinoril having fewer kidney problems than some of the other NSAIDs. My health issues stopped me from reaching for a tylenol or ibuprofen or decongestant for every ache or pain or cold. I was rather surprised and grateful to discover how well I could get along without them for the day to day stuff. QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![tanookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tanookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanookie)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2004, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/13 "2004-07-01T01:55:35Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > Guess you’ll have to stick with the opiate narcotics, then. 😃 > QtM, MD Day to day I get along very well… My doctors did give me some wonderful stuff for my 2 CSections. I can see how people get addicted to pain pills! ---
**Author:** ![suezeekay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@suezeekay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suezeekay)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2004, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/14 "2004-07-01T06:41:55Z")
Yeh, Tanookie, I can’t take nsaids or acetaminophen either and it basically sucks. They are wonderful pain killers. So, I have to suffer through any everyday pain, like muscle pulls, etc. I’m stuck with narcotics which make me vomit and don’t work very well. I’m wondering about the sulindac (Clinoril) you mentioned, Quadgop. Can people who can’t take other NSAIDS possibly use it without bleeding? ---
**Author:** ![cedric45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@cedric45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cedric45)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2004, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ibuprofen-liver-damage/252929/15 "2004-07-01T11:05:22Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > _snip_On the other hand, stomach bleeding from Ibuprofen might be a cause for some consideration on your part (especially if you have a history of ulcer disease or even reflux). Thanks to everyone for the replies. There are really no other considerations to consider… I’ve never been sick with anything, but, there have been several trips to the ER over the years! I read about Dr. Neil Cream when I was _very_ young and that has caused me to view ingestion of any substance with suspicion. OTC pain killers are not even close to the poisons he used but young minds are impressionable and those impressions do stick with you. That could be a good thing… I mean, staying away from medicines/drugs. My first trip to the ER was caused by stepping barefoot on a needle in a friend’s carpet. I had to go to surgery to get the broken off part removed. Early in the morning on the day of the surgery, they gave me a small dose of Valium to “relax” me. It knocked me OUT! The doctor was greatly amused and proclaimed I was a Pharmaceutical Virgin. 😛