Risks From Ibuprofen Use

Heads up to all you pill poppers out there:

…a valuable new study joins growing evidence that ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatory painkillers taken before a workout don’t offer any benefit and may be causing disagreeable physical damage instead, particularly to the intestines.

And:

“The idea is just entrenched in the athletic community that ibuprofen will help you to train better and harder,” Dr. Nieman said. “But that belief is simply not true. There is no scientifically valid reason to use ibuprofen before exercise and many reasons to avoid it.

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19 Responses to Risks From Ibuprofen Use

  1. kregs1 December 27, 2012 at 10:43 am #

    A friend told me not to take ibubrofen before a climbing because, “you might not feel the injuries you are cause, or worsen.”

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    • kregs1 December 27, 2012 at 10:52 am #

      Wow, please excuse my grammar sans cafe.

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  2. crimpy December 27, 2012 at 11:24 am #

    i have read that l glutamine, an amino acid taken in capsule form can help protect the stomach against nsaids as well as speeding up muscle recovery after workouts etc.

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    • Addi December 28, 2012 at 9:31 pm #

      Where did you read that? I still haven’t found clinical studies that confirm that glutamine helps with anything at all (except with arthritis for the elderly)

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    • Jacob Neal Harris January 9, 2013 at 10:43 am #

      Glutamine helps remove lactic acid from the body, reducing post workout soreness. It also helps build muscle quicker during the recovery phase. It won’t add much bulk, but it takes some of the cons away from gymtime.

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  3. Isaac December 27, 2012 at 12:29 pm #

    A little vitamin I can certainly mask the pain caused during climbing/training. That is the point. We should heed the warnings (my father was hospitalized a few years ago due to ulcers from popping nsaids) but everyone who has popped a couple of Ibus to help nagging tendons, skin, or muscles knows that there is noticeable benefit.

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  4. Eric December 27, 2012 at 2:30 pm #

    “More immediately, if less graphically, the absorption of nutrients could be compromised, especially after exercise, Dr. van Wijck said, which could affect the ability of tired muscles to resupply themselves with fuel and regenerate.”

    Malnourishment leading to weight loss?! It really is the ultimate climbing supplement!

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    • JEC December 27, 2012 at 5:54 pm #

      About 5 years ago after a season of hard training with daily nsaid doses I was diagnosed with Glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidneys.. May or may not be a causal relationship but my only risk factor was the daily heavy (1,000 mg +) use of ibuprofen. Symptoms under control but I don’t dare touch nsaids anymore.

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  5. gerbablo December 27, 2012 at 6:37 pm #

    So I am not advocating taking NSAIDS before working out (especially habitually), but I can’t believe that a study of 9 men in one country would be anywhere near conclusive. At most, I would say it indicates that more comprehensive studies should be done. “Valuable” is an irresponsible word to describe this in my opinion.

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  6. chris December 28, 2012 at 12:10 am #

    what about ibuprofen after climbing?

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  7. mike December 28, 2012 at 9:37 am #

    It would be interesting to see the effects with a non-endurance sport such as climbing, if the body produces different post workout effects when compared with an endurance sport such as cycling. Also, I would love to see a follow-up done where the Ib is taken with food, as is commonly suggested, as I imagine it would effect the bio-availability of the drug and potentially have an impact on the metabolization effects of the drug within the body.

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    • mike December 28, 2012 at 9:38 am #

      Also what about post-workout effects of NSAID use?

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  8. crimpy December 29, 2012 at 2:36 pm #

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10233193 this was the first thing which came up when i googled glutamine nsaids. i have been taking it a month or so noticing quick recovery after pulling plactic, decreased appetite(yeah i am fat) and possibly immune system strengthening.

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  9. RNclimber January 1, 2013 at 7:37 pm #

    NO SHIT!
    If your in pain… it means that you need to rest or balance yourselves. Pharmaceuticals should be a last resort.

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  10. crimpy January 2, 2013 at 9:30 am #

    if your responding to me i would mention that amino acids are not pharmaceuticals. od on fish oil for natural anti infalmitory.

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    • RNclimber January 2, 2013 at 8:09 pm #

      sorry for the misdirected comment. My comment was directed to all the pill poppers out there… doesnt sound like your one of them. Seriously people, ibuprofen is pretty much bad for anyone trying to get stronger.

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  11. crimpy January 3, 2013 at 9:31 am #

    roger that. peace.

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  12. Eric January 6, 2013 at 10:41 am #

    There is also evidence in several studies that Ibuprofen decreases tendon and ligament elasticity and strength. From a climber’s perspective. the last thing you want to do is make your tendons weaker, since they are the source of most injuries anyway.

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