Brufen SR 800mg (Ibuprofen)

Brufen Retard general information

What is Brufen Retard used for?

Brufen Retard tablets 800mg are used to treat the pain and inflammation caused by chronic inflammatory joint diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or Still's disease, osteoarthritis (wear and tear), ankylosing spondylitis, (an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the spine and pelvis and can cause fusion of the spine). Brufen Retard tablets 800mg do not cure arthritic disease but can relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation and improve the functional use of affected joints. Brufen Retard is also used to treat rheumatic conditions of the connective tissue surrounding joints (non-articular), including bursitis, tendinitis, tenosynovitis; as well as acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders, such as sprains, strains and lower back pain (lumbago). Brufen Retard tablets 800mg are also used for relief of mild to moderate dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pain).

How does Brufen Retard work?

Brufen Retard tablets 800mg contain ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-pyretic properties (reduces fever). Ibuprofen in Brufen Retard tablets 500mg blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) including cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) that is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins. Inhibition of COX-2 helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. Inhibition of COX-1 is responsible for the gastrointestinal side effects that are due to inhibition of protective prostaglandins in the gut and disruption of regulation of acid content. Brufen Retard tablets 800mg are formulated for slow sustained release so that the ibuprofen is released gradually into your blood stream and is therefore effective over a longer period at stable levels.

What does Brufen Retard contain?

Brufen Retard tablets 800mg contain the active ingredient ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to treat pain and inflammation of bone and joint diseases. They also contain xanthan gum, povidone, stearic acid, colloidal anhydrous silica, hypromellose, purified talc and opaspray white M-1-7111B.

Treating arthritis with Brufen Retard

Brufen Retard tablets 800mg contain ibuprofen a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to relieve pain and inflammation in joints affected with arthritis. Osteoarthritis (a degenerative disease also known as wear and tear) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease where the immune system turns on self) are chronic inflammatory diseases in which the joints become inflamed, swollen and painful. Ibuprofen in Brufen Retard tablets 800mg blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) including cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) that is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins. Inhibition of COX-2 helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness, to improve the functional use of affected joints.

Brufen Retard for pain and inflammation

Brufen Retard tablets 800mg contain ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-pyretic properties (reduces fever). Several chronic inflammatory joint diseases cause pain and inflammation, including rheumatoid arthritis (in adults and children), osteoarthritis (wear and tear), ankylosing spondylitis, (an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the spine and pelvis and can cause fusion of the spine). Acute pain and inflammation are also associated with dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) and post-operative pain (following surgery). Ibuprofen in Brufen Retard tablets 800mg blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) including cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) that is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins. Inhibition of COX-2 helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. Brufen Retard tablets 800mg also inhibit cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1), which is thought to be responsible for the gastrointestinal side effects associated with the non-selective NSAIDs.

What are the side effects of Brufen Retard?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Brufen Retard tablets 800mg are gastrointestinal and include: upset stomach or stomach pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, bloating wind, heartburn, indigestion, constipation. Other side effects include: dizziness, drowsiness, headache, light-headedness, vertigo, tinnitus (buzzing or ringing in the ears), oedema and fluid retention, skin rash, itching, sweating. More serious but less common side effects include gastric ulcers and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

When should Brufen Retard not be used?

You should not use Brufen Retard tablets 800mg if you:

• are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin or any other NSAIDs or any ingredients in Brufen Retard
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have had any previous gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation when taking NSAIDs
• have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
• have asthma as ibuprofen may cause bronchospasm
• have severe heart failure
• are taking medicines that interact with Brufen Retard, including: aspirin or other NSAIDs, diuretics like frusemide, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, anticoagulants like warfarin, lithium for mood disorders, SSRI antidepressants, digoxin for heart failure, corticosteroids for inflammatory conditions, the herbal extract Ginkgo biloba, the immunosuppressants tacrolimus and cyclosporine, aminoglycoside antibiotics, methotrexate for cancer treatment

What medications interact with Brufen Retard?

Several medications interact with Brufen Retard and should either not be taken while you are taking Brufen Retard or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction or increase side effects with Brufen Retard: aspirin or other NSAIDs, corticosteroids for inflammatory conditions, digoxin for heart failure, the herbal extract Ginkgo biloba, the immunosuppressants tacrolimus and cyclosporin
• Drugs that are affected by Brufen Retard: anticoagulants like warfarin, the anti-cancer drug methotrexate, lithium for mood disorders, diuretics like frusemide, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, aminoglycoside antibiotics, methotrexate for cancer treatment

How should Brufen Retard be taken?

You should take your Brufen Retard tablets 800mg swallowed whole with a glass of water in the early evening before going to bed and after a meal. The dose you take depends on your condition and your doctor’s recommendation, usually 2 tablets daily, which may be reduced or increased depending on any side effects you may experience and how well you respond. You should continue to take your Brufen Retard tablets 800mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, several weeks or longer, depending on what you are being treated for.

How long should you take Brufen Retard?

You should continue to take your Brufen Retard tablets 800mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, several weeks or longer, depending on what you are being treated for.

Missed dose of Brufen Retard

If you miss a dose of Brufen Retard tablets 800mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Brufen Retard be stored?

You should store your Brufen Retard tablets 800mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.