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Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer
Isn't it possible to take something to control the impact on the stomach from taking ibuprofen constantly, like prilosec or whatever?
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are prostaglandin inhibitors. Prostaglandin is formed when cells are damaged. An enzyme breaks down lipids in the cell wall and converts them to an acid. This is further broken down by the enzyme cylcooxygenase forming prostaglandin.
Prostaglandin lowers the threshold of nociceptive fibers so that stimuli is painful. NSAIDS prevent prostaglandin production by blocking cyclooxygenase.
Its more complicated than that but thats the gist of it.
Prostaglandin is also responsible for maintenance of the gastric mucosa. Blocking the actions of prostaglandin can lead to GI bleed, decreased platelet aggregation etc etc.
I havent personaly heard of any way to prevent it from MD's I know. One can take NSAIDs with food but that decreases absorption. I know in the ICU we put everyone on zantac right away d/t stress etc. I would bet someone has done studies of chronic NSAID use concurrent with a proton pump inhibitor (prilosec) or
H2 histamine receptor antagonist (zantac).
Sorry that isnt of any help-