Ibuprofen is one of the most widely used pain medicines in the world.
Many people take it to ease headaches, muscle pain, arthritis, fever, or minor injuries without thinking twice. Because it is available without a prescription in many countries, it is often seen as a safe choice when used as directed.
However, researchers are continuing to learn more about how this common medicine affects the body.
A new study from the University of California, Davis suggests that ibuprofen may have a bigger impact on the liver than previously believed. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, also suggest that males and females may respond to the drug in different ways.
Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. These medicines reduce pain, inflammation, and fever by blocking chemicals that cause swelling and discomfort. Although ibuprofen is generally considered safe for short-term use, doctors have long known that frequent or high-dose use can increase the risk of stomach bleeding, kidney problems, and heart-related complications in some people.
The new research looked more closely at what happens inside the liver after regular ibuprofen use. The liver is one of the body’s most important organs because it removes harmful substances, breaks down medicines, stores nutrients, and helps control many chemical processes that keep us healthy.
In the study, the researchers gave mice a moderate daily dose of ibuprofen for one week. The amount was similar to about 400 milligrams a day for an average adult person. After the treatment, the scientists used advanced laboratory techniques to examine changes inside the liver cells.
The results showed that ibuprofen altered at least 34 important biological processes in the livers of male mice. These changes affected how the body handled amino acids, vitamins, and hormones. The drug also increased levels of hydrogen peroxide, a substance that can place stress on liver cells and damage proteins if too much builds up over time.
One of the most striking discoveries was that male and female mice did not respond in the same way. Some liver systems reacted differently depending on sex.
For example, the proteasome, which removes damaged or unwanted proteins from cells, behaved differently in males than in females, suggesting that the body may process ibuprofen differently in men and women.
The researchers also found evidence that ibuprofen may slow the breakdown of other medicines in male mice. If a similar effect occurs in people, some medications could remain in the body longer than expected, increasing the possibility of unwanted side effects or drug interactions. The scientists note that this is the first time such an effect has been reported.
Although this study was carried out in mice, the findings highlight the need for further research in humans. Understanding how common medicines affect different people could help doctors provide safer and more personalized treatment. It may also improve guidance for people who regularly take several medicines at the same time.
The research team, led by Professor Aldrin Gomes, says the results are a reminder to avoid taking ibuprofen more often than necessary.
People who use ibuprofen regularly, especially alongside other prescription medicines, should speak with their healthcare provider to make sure it remains the safest choice for their situation. As scientists continue to study this widely used drug, the findings may help improve medicine safety for millions of people.
If you care about pain, please read studies about vitamin K deficiency linked to hip fractures in old people, and these vitamins could help reduce bone fracture risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that Krill oil could improve muscle health in older people, and eating yogurt linked to lower frailty in older people.
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