If you’ve ever taken ibuprofen (marketed as Advil or Motrin) to relieve pain, inflammation, or fever, you know it can have side effects. One of them is gastric ulcers and irritation that may cause bleeding and even ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease. This is because ibuprofen blocks the production of protective enzymes that neutralize acids in your stomach.
In addition to taking ibuprofen with food, another method for reducing the risk of stomach ulceration is taking it with an acidic drink like lemonade or orange juice about 30 minutes later. This reduces the possibility of acid reflux or irritation by keeping ibuprofen from reaching your stomach for at least an hour after ingestion.
The good news is that this same principle applies to other drugs with a similar effect on the pH balance in your stomach, such as Pepto-Bismol. The key is waiting long enough for these medications to be completely broken down into their original components before taking another drug like Pepto-Bismol.
Let’s take a closer look at how long after taking ibuprofen, you can take Pepto-Bismol, so both work optimally without any negative side effects.
How Long After Taking Ibuprofen Can You Take Pepto-Bismol?
Other pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, should not be combined with Pepto-Bismol without first consulting your doctor or pharmacist. This could have unintended consequences.
What is ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs are used to relieve pain and inflammation.
What is Pepto-Bismol?
Pepto-Bismol is an over-the-counter medication to treat diarrhea, heartburn, and upset stomach.
Pepto’s active ingredient, bismuth subsalicylate, has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the irritation that can cause diarrhea and upset stomach.
Can you take Pepto-Bismol after taking ibuprofen
No interactions were found between ibuprofen and Pepto-Bismol. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking these medications together. Take this medication at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking other products that may make you sleepy.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Stop ibuprofen: Stop taking Ibuprofen and use Tylenol instead. Your stomach is sensitive to it, and you may develop gastritis.
What medications should not be taken with Pepto-Bismol
You should not take other painkillers, like ibuprofen or aspirin, with Pepto-Bismol without talking to your healthcare provider first. These medications may interact with each other and cause serious side effects.
Examples of medications that can interact with Pepto-Bismol include angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors, such as benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, and trandolapril. Anti-seizure drugs, such as valproic acid, Divalproex, and blood thinners (anticoagulants), such as warfarin.
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