Pain Relief – A Look at Motrin

The Motrin family of products is incorporated in the Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) category. This includes Motrin IB and Children’s Motrin because these contain the NSAID ibuprofen as an active ingredient.

Ibuprofen was made available under prescription in the United States in 1974. The Food and Drug Administration approved it for over-the-counter use in 1984. Subsequently, the use of ibuprofen has become widespread and has been confirmed as one of the safest of the NSAIDs.

There are a few risks associated with taking NSAIDs that consumers should be aware of. Using this product continuously, for a long period of time, may increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack and may cause stomach bleeding. You should not take a NSAID if you have ever had an allergic reaction to another pain reliever/fever reducer. Also, anyone that has just had, or is about to have, heart surgery should consult with your physician before using or discontinuing use of this product.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Motrin. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by Motrin.

Women who are pregnant, or could be pregnant, should avoid use of this product until consultation with a physician. A study done that was published on August 16, 2003 in the British Medical Journal stated that taking any NSAIDs during pregnancy, or just before, may cause an 80 percent increased risk of a miscarriage. In this study, when the women first had a positive pregnancy test, they were asked to list any medications they had been taking since their last menstrual cycle. The use of aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, etc.), or naproxen (Aleve) in the days right around conception had a higher chance of complications. Most of the women in the study that took the medication longer than a week lost their babies. Although more research is needed about the dangers of these medications during pregnancy, women everywhere should know about the potential risk of miscarriage when using these products.

There are 5 main products listed for Motrin. They are as follows:

• Motrin IB
• Children’s Motrin
• Children’s Motrin Cold
• Junior Strength Motrin
• Infants Motrin

It is important to always read the labeled directions and if you have any questions, contact your doctor. It is also important to remember with Motrin IB, and Children’s Motrin, that they ARE medicine and should only be taken as directed. A child should never receive any medication intended for an adult.

The active ingredients in Motrin products have not changed. The Motrin family of products continues to provide relatively safe and effective relief of fevers and aches and pains in both children and adults.