Ibuprofen And Pseudoephedrine: What Should I Discuss With My Doctor Before Taking Ibuprofen And Pseudoephedrine

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

What should I discuss with my doctor before taking ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine?

Do not use ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ibuprofen or pseudoephedrine, or if you have:

• a stomach ulcer or active bleeding in your stomach or intestines;
• polyps in your nose; or
• a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Before taking ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
• heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
• liver or kidney disease;
• a thyroid disorder;
• diabetes;
• enlarged prostate or problems with urination;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
• if you smoke.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby during early pregnancy. However, taking ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects and prolonged labor and delivery. Do not take ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to.

It is not known whether ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Last updated:	March 24, 2008