Ibuprofen is one of the most commonly used pain medicines in the world.
Millions of people take it to ease headaches, muscle pain, back pain, toothaches, fever, arthritis, and many other everyday health problems.
Because it is sold without a prescription in many countries, many people believe it is completely harmless when used often.
While ibuprofen is generally safe when taken as directed, scientists continue to learn more about how it affects the body.
A new study from the University of California, Davis suggests that this common medicine may have a bigger effect on the liver than experts once believed.
The research also found that males and females may respond to the drug in different ways.
Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs. These medicines help reduce pain, lower fever, and decrease inflammation.
Doctors have long known that taking too much ibuprofen or using it for a long time can increase the risk of stomach bleeding, kidney problems, heart attack, and stroke in some people. However, much less has been known about its effects on the liver, especially after regular daily use.
To better understand this question, researchers led by Professor Aldrin Gomes carried out a laboratory study using mice. The animals received a moderate dose of ibuprofen every day for one week. The amount was roughly equal to about 400 milligrams a day for an average adult person.
After the treatment, the scientists carefully examined the liver using a powerful laboratory method called mass spectrometry. This technology allows researchers to measure thousands of proteins and chemicals inside cells and detect very small changes that cannot be seen with ordinary tests.
The results showed that ibuprofen changed many important activities inside the liver. In male mice, at least 34 different biological processes were affected. These changes involved the way the liver handled amino acids, vitamins, and hormones.
The researchers also found higher levels of hydrogen peroxide, a chemical that can place stress on liver cells and damage proteins if it builds up. Over a long period, this type of stress may increase the risk of liver injury.
One of the most interesting findings was that male and female mice did not respond in the same way. Some liver processes increased in one sex but decreased in the other. This suggests that biological sex may influence how the body handles ibuprofen.
The researchers found clear differences in the proteasome, which is the system that removes damaged or unwanted proteins from cells. Healthy proteasomes are important because they help cells stay healthy by clearing away proteins that no longer work properly.
The study also raised another possible concern. In male mice, ibuprofen appeared to slow the liver’s ability to break down some other medicines. If the same effect happens in people, other drugs could remain in the body for longer than expected.
This could increase the chance of unwanted side effects or drug interactions, particularly in people who take several medicines every day. The researchers say this finding needs more investigation because this is the first study to report such an effect.
Although these findings are important, it is also important to remember that this research was carried out in mice. Animal studies often provide valuable clues, but they do not always predict exactly what will happen in humans.
More studies involving people are needed before doctors can fully understand how ibuprofen affects the human liver and whether the same differences between men and women exist.
Even so, the research serves as a useful reminder to use over-the-counter medicines carefully. Taking more than the recommended dose or using ibuprofen for long periods without medical advice may increase health risks.
If pain continues for many days or keeps coming back, it is better to speak with a healthcare professional instead of relying on painkillers alone. People who already have liver disease or who take several prescription medicines should also ask their doctor or pharmacist whether ibuprofen is the safest choice.
The researchers hope their findings will encourage more studies into why men and women sometimes respond differently to the same medicines. Better understanding these differences could help doctors choose safer and more effective treatments that are tailored to each person.
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The research was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
