Gel with ibuprofen and taking ibuprofen as well - dangerous?

[AngryFeet]

DH has a very painful shoulder. I went to the chemist today and she gave me some gel called deep relief which has ibuprofen in it. She said to take ibuprofen pills with it but it seems a bit dangerous to me. Is it?

I would have thought so, you can get a lot of medication through the skin!

It depends on the maximum doses. I don't give specific advice like this on the internet, but check the packaging for the Ibuprofen. It will tell you the maximum dosage in 24 hours. Between the gel and tablets, don't exceed this.

from personal experience of dodgy shoulders I'd recommend tablets. You can alternate ibuprofen with paracetamol, or you can get paracetamol with codeine, also compatible with ibuprofen.

visit to the quack maybe advisable for something a little stronger

and i find great comfort in a heat pack....hot water bottle or those heat pad sticky things

I was once told that the ibuprofen gel is not much cop on backs/shoulders as it is unlikely to get through the fat layer under the skin....the gp said it was more suited to boney areas....but who knows if that is correct or just an opinion.

If he's taking maximum dose ibuprofen orally don't use gel too.

I have osteo arthritis in my neck and will admit to having used both at the same time when the pain is really bad.

I think the gel is really effective though.

I have arthritis to take regular ibuprofen. My doctor told me the gel is worthless and doesn't actually penetrate the skin. So if you want to use both, no harm! Personally, I'd stick with the pills.

I have shoulder pain too, and the gel I use is called Voltaren. It says not to take anti-inflamatories with it, so I take Tylenol. If the pain is bad I skip the Voltaren and take anti-inflammatory and Tylenol instead. I find using a cold pack wrapped in a soft cloth (I use a stretchy cotton sock) on my shoulder works best of all.