How does slow release ibuprofen last longer than normal and give adequate pain relief if's the same dose?

[olivo]

Was advised to take long lasting ibuprofen but don't understand how a dose of 400 mg, same as normal tablets, can provide the same level of pain relief but for longer. Can anyone explain please?
The chap in the pharmacy just waffled a bit and I didn't really understand!

I think it's because the slow release version is enterically coated so that it takes a lot longer to be broken down by your digestive system and therefore is absorbed at a slower rate.

thanks. does that mean it might not take all the pain away? the normal ones were just about doing the job but wearing off far too quickly and i couldn't take more.

No, the way it works is different.

Think of it this way:

1. Normal Ibuprofen: All the drug gets dumped into your system. The body processes it and acts to relieve the pain, but it all gets metabolised at the same time, too.

2. Sustained release: The drug is dissolved more slowly, so the drug is absorbed at a slower rate. Although less has been absorbed at a time, it is enough to kill the pain. The dose is broken down into 'chunks' as the body absorbs it. So, each 'chunk' is absorbed as it becomes available, then wears off, but the next chunk has been absorbed by then, and so on, until it is gone.

If you do find that you can't tolerate it, then you could ask to switch onto diclofenac, which is a stronger drug in the same Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drug group (NSAID). There is a mixed release form of diclofenac called 'motifene'. It is a capsule which has 75 mg of diclofenac with a combination of granules in it. 25 mg is released straight away (as soon as the capsule is dissolved in the stomach) and the remaining 50 mg is enterically coated so that it is dissolved more slowly, and has a sustained release effect.

Sorry Lougle, have to disagree. Diclofenac has far higher risk of side-effects, practices in our area are taking everybody off it and going onto Ibuprofen or Naproxen which have similar efficacy and less severe side-effects.

Interesting to note that slow release ones sold over the counter are 200mg with dose of 2 (400mg) twice daily whereas the prescription only slow release form has a strength of 800mg (dose 1 twice a day)so giving twice the dose.

I suspect the slow release over-the-counter ones will give a more sustained but possibly not as strong effect. Are you taking paracetamol? Combining regular doses of this with the slow release ibuprofen will give you a better pain relief than ibuprofen alone.

Thank you. I am going to try the slow release today but will keep the paracetamol on hand as well, just in case.

tranquil could you say more about diclonfenac and side effects ?

Diclofenac has the usual side-effects of irritating the stomach, etc as other anti-inflammatories but has a higher rate of cardiovascular side-effects (like heart attack or stroke) than others. Having said all that, those risks are really small but they are increased in certain risk groups and it has been established that many hospital admissions are related to them.

If someone is young, fit and healthy with no risk factors it is unlikely to be a problem but for an elderly patient with existing heart, kidney or blood pressure issues it may be.

Thanks tranquil .
Didn't mean to put you on the spot re explaining but not raising worries .