Is A Low Dose Of Ibuprofen Safe For Treating Osteoarthritis?

Posted on Tue, 13 Mar 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 Answered on

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I have mild to moderate osteoarthritis in my hip with a torn labrum and am not a candidate for labrum repair surgery.. I am 48 years old and weigh 190 lbs. I can manage it with 600-1200 mg of ibuprofen on the 3days a week I do cardio exercise on a stationary bike. It only tends to flare up when I do cardio. I only take this dose 3 days a week. Is this weekly dosing safe for long term dosing over the course of years until I may need a hip replacement? Also, I take 750 mg of turmeric a day. Is the turmeric safe to take on the days I take ibuprofen?
Thank you

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:

No interaction

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

However the dose you are using is relatively low dose which is claimed to be safe for long-term use but still I would recommend that you check up every two months on your liver functions (including AST and ALT) and kidney function tests (including urea and creatinine) as long-term use of Ibuprofen may cause liver or kidney damage.

Another thing is that it might cause irritation of gastric lining causing gastritis when used for a long time.

So, it'll be better if you use Paracetamol in alternation with Ibuprofen to decrease the possibility of side effects.

Tumeric is not reported to interact with Ibuprofen so no expected side effects should occur.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (49 minutes later)

Is paracetamol Tylenol (Acetaminophen). How would I implement the alternation with my Ibuprofen. Would I take one dose of each on the 3 days or alternate the dosing and what is the safe dosing of paracetamol?

Thanks,

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (25 hours later)

Brief Answer:

Within the same day

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Yes, Paracetamol is Tylenol only.

I would recommend that you alternate Ibuprofen and Paracetamol on the same day.

This means that you take a dose of Ibuprofen followed by a dose of Paracetamol and so on in order to decrease the daily dose of each and consequently decrease side effects.

Each dose of Paracetamol should not exceed 1000 mg with a maximum of 3000mg daily dosages. I would recommend you limit daily Ibuprofen dose to 600 mg in two divided doses to minimize side effects.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Salah Saad Shoman, Internal Medicine Specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee