Risks of Using Ibuprofen to Preempt Muscle Soreness Unclear

[BABY1]

TweetAfter you complete a major athletic endeavor, such as a marathon, few things are as certain as muscle soreness. That’s why many athletes turn to over-the-counter drugs, such as ibuprofen, BEFORE exercising to prevent or reduce muscle pain afterward. But a 2012 study has raised questions that might have athletes thinking twice before taking ibuprofen to ease the pain.

A 2012 study has raised questions that might have athletes thinking twice before taking ibuprofen to ease the pain.

Potential Problems Identified by Study

The study, published in the December 2012 issue of the journal “Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise,” titled "Aggravation of Exercise-Induced Intestinal Injury by Ibuprofen in Athletes" focused specifically on the use of ibuprofen by athletes as a way of preventing pain. The findings showed that ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), may have potentially hazardous effects on the gastrointestinal lining.

The study’s researchers noted that any strenuous athletic exercise is likely to cause small intestinal injuries. The question, however, is whether ibuprofen aggravates the injuries so much that athletes should either eliminate or cut back on the drug.

Dr. Heather Gillespie, who practices sports medicine at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center in Santa Monica, Calif., is among those who believe athletes should be cautious about taking ibuprofen before exercising.

“There’s more and more evidence to show that there is some (intestinal) damage, and this study points to that,” Gillespie said.

She said health care providers have known for some time that routine use of ibuprofen can lead to significant gastrointestinal and kidney problems. Using the drug before exercise, in anticipation of pain, also may not be a wise choice. Still, Gillespie said, the practice is common among athletes who take this over-the-counter drug without real concern for the possible side effects.
Doctors Disagree on Concerns

Some doctors are not convinced that the use of ibuprofen by athletes before exercise should be a major concern.

Dr. Lawrence Schiller, program director of the gastroenterology fellowship at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, said the Dutch study makes a big point about a relatively small problem.

Schiller said the study's researchers used very sensitive measures to determine the kind of intestinal lining permeability, which allows for toxins to leak from the digestive track into the bloodstream, that often occurs after strenuous exercise -- with or without ibuprofen use.

The degree of change seen between those who took ibuprofen and those who did not, Schiller said, was relatively minor. “I don’t think it’s is a big deal, particularly in random doses like we’re talking about here,” he said. Schiller believes that it is unlikely it would be a big cause for disease.

He added that the kinds of minor intestinal injuries often seen after exercise are usually short-lived. The damage, he said, usually is repaired within an hour or two.

A bigger concern for athletes, Schiller said, should be what effect NSAIDs have on the kidneys given that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs affect how the body handles water.

Gillespie, said that while she urges caution about using the drug to prevent pain, she is not advocating complete abstinence, though athletes might want to consider cutting back. While the long-term consequences of using ibuprofen to prevent pain and soreness are unknown, she said, “In this case, I would say that less is more.”

The Dutch study is a bit more direct: “We conclude that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs consumption by athletes is not harmless and should be discouraged."
Article reviewed by Michael Rudeen Last updated on: Mar 29, 2013
Resources

• Sports Medicine Bulletin: Active Voice: Aggravation of Exercise-Induced Intestinal Injury by Ibuprofen in Athletes
• Marathon & Beyond: Ibuprofen and Running

Read more: News Analysis: Ibuprofen As Preventative Pain Medicine | LIVESTRONG.COM

[Heavy Hitter]

TweetI used to eat a handful of ibuprofen before every workout. I know its bad. But whatever it takes attitude doesn't always let me see the bad.

[mfdvr]

TweetHere' some food for thought....
Prostaglandins are a key part of the anabolic process, and the inflammatory/pain process
Ibuprofen blocks prostaglandins
Could Ibuprofen slow down muscle growth? I always wondered this, and what do you know, here's a study on it...
Prostaglandin F2(alpha) stimulates growth of ske... [J Cell Biol. 2003] - PubMed - NCBI

[BABY1]

Tweetanother thing is that inflammation is the bodies way of healing itself. Yes sometimes we need to use something but we are then disrupting a normal process in the body

[mfdvr]

Tweet

another thing is that inflammation is the bodies way of healing itself. Yes sometimes we need to use something but we are then disrupting a normal process in the body

Yeah, that's really what muscle growth IS......healing. The workout damages the muslce, prostaglandins are released, inflammation occurs, and the muscle heals/grows.