Is it possible to become addicted to ibuprofen?
409185
I feel it is possible mentally but have no proof that they are physically addicting.  I have prescription strength ibuprofen and take it pretty regular.  As far as I know there are no physical addictions related to ibuprofen, but if it works as well for you as it does me, it can be mentally addicting.  Too much of anything is bad for your health, so try and "maintain" with the ibuprofen.
1085271
Yes. It is possible, but only if you don't smoke. If you are smoking, sooner or later you WILL become addicted because your body starts needing those chemicals so that you can think clearly....\nMy advice: you've quit for 3 days. Don't take it back up again. Try doing hard exercise to fulfill you instead. It causes an adrenalin surge and makes you high.
1154918
I have had the same problem, started about 3rd grade for me. I don't know what caused them then, but I do know what was a big factor later. Caffeine. Addiction to caffeine is a huge issue for some people, but it's rarely discussed as a cause of headaches because it's such a good "cure" for them. Why do you think you were hooked on excedrine? Ingredients are aspirin, tylenol and caffeine to speed the effects. I discovered it when I was 17 and was ordered off of caffeine by my doctor as a result of cysts in my breasts. I found myself constantly craving caffeine, and got terrible headaches for about 6 months, then they subsided gradually. When I started drinking caffeine again, I stopped once more and the headaches resumed. I did find excedrin far superior in treating my headaches, but I stopped when I got pregnant 2 years ago and haven't started again due to breastfeeding. Ibuprofen (advil) may work better for you if they are tension headaches, because it is a muscle relaxant.\n\nAnother source of my headaches which you may or may not connect with was back/neck pain. I am a very busty woman, especially while nursing, and about 3 years ago was able to start getting special order support bras in my size. I also started seeing a chiropractor once every month or two. The neck strain went away and the headaches decreased dramatically.\n\nYou should try seeing an alternative or homeopathic doctor. They may be able to track your specific source of pain since they use different methods of detecting the sources of problems, with the goal of FIXING them and not just treating the symptoms. My mother in law and aunt have both had wonderful results with all of their medical problems that doctors were either baffled by or told them that the problems couldn't be fixed, just treat the symptoms. Good luck.
458049
ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug. it reduces inflammation and decreases pain. possible side effects, especially if used frequently, can be a damage to the kidneys or bleeding from the stomach. there are other side effects too, sometimes the intensity of them is depending on wheather you have previous other diseases or not. so if you really have so much pain, I suggest you should reconsult your physician, first, the arm should be reexamined ( sometimes old fractures are not healed the proper way and something can be done therefore), or, if you really have to use a painkiller then you should do this with proper feedback and follow up of your blood tests and physical examination - there are doctors specialized for the treatment of pain, you could take their help too.
622452
yes...you can be addicted to pretty much anything.  Drugs, alcohol, sex, food, etc.\n\nTYPES OF ADDICTION--\n\n\nAddiction reaches beyond alcohol and drugs. Many people suffer from all sorts of different addictions. Gambling, eating, shopping, sex, internet, work, video games, etc can all be just as addictive in many cases just as destructive to a person. Those behaviors may affect the person differently, but they can be just as devastating as substance dependence. The 12 step program, which was originally devised for overcoming alcoholism, has now been transformed into well over 200 different addiction support groups. Always remember too much of a good thing can hurt you.
551188
WHY? Why anyone would smoke ibuprofen?\nDo not do it ,pal.\nThere are better ways to ruin your lungs and stomach.
954533
Yeah, that is truly an addiction.  But I am very happy to hear that you recognized it is a problem.  That is the first step in detox.  \n\nI suggest an inpatient detox program and going Narcotics Annoymous.  They may have suggests for a good detox program.  Doing it yourself at home can be pretty intense.
504434
call your doctor and see if you can't take ibuprofen
202290
Ibuprofen, as with all NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) have the potential to cause some severe side-effects, the most common of which is gastrointestinal bleeding that can lead to ulcers. The maximum recommended (prescription) dose is 1600mg a day (800mg twice daily). If you are only taking 400mg a day, unless you have a history of GI problems (including GERDS), I wouldn't worry. To reduce the risks of GI problems even more, you should ALWAYS take ibuprofen with food. Also, taking an acid suppressing medication (usually an H2 antagonist) like Tagamet or Zantac daily can be of added benefit. \n\nAlso, not to blatantly discredit any of the other responses, but tolerance to the analgesic effects of ibuprofen would mean tolerance to the anti-inflammatory properties (ibuprofen's mechanism of action is the inhibition of prostagland synthesis leading to a decrease in inflammation, therefore reducing pain) and this doesn't really happen. The respondant who spoke of tolerance to ibuprofen has most likely gotten ibuprofen confused with drugs in the opiate/narcotic family. These medications cause tolerance (and dependence) over time.\n\nYour doctor was correct.\nHope I was helpful.\n\nDr. No Code
1103285
Anyone can become addicted to anything.
1112624
Ibuprofen (Advil) can cause insomnia in some people, but it's relatively rare.
460972
You need to bring this to attention of your physician and I can;t believe that your pharmacy has not caught on to this.  Most physicians also will realize when a patient begins to overuse their daily doses and if your physician has never brought this over usage to your attention than I suggest you speak to him and let him know what predicament you are in.  I took pain medications for many years and I became addicted and no one saw it around me.  It is the most painful of all things I ever had to do because I was diagnosed with a disease and I needed that relief.  It has been almost 6 years and I havent treated my pain with anything but advil, tylenol and the odd pain pill given to me by the hospital when I deem necessary.  I took over 100 prescibed pain pills a week.  It wasn't until I had pain that I was medicating myself for that almost killed me and sent me into emergency surgery that I realized what I had done.  You need to get help!  If you don't get help, you will only need more and one day, you won't get them.  You risk your own life each day by what you are doing.  If you take it for that pain that it wasn't precribed for it will hurt you.  And if your pain doesn't seem better, you will need more and eventually, your body won't tolerate it and you will have to move on to another pain medication.  It may take away your pain and give you that euphoric "everything feels good" sensation...but it won't in time.
984209
Yes, more than twice a day is too much. You can cut the addiction by doing some sports, going out and having fun, and keeping yourself busy with something else.
536623
if you are talking about the antidepressent, then yes. once you start one, you have to ween off to stop. your mind becomes addicted to it. you can find all the information you need about antidepressents and their risks, side effects, ect.. on webmd.com.
851284
It's all in his head.  The ingredients in Tylenol PM are NOT addictive.  So if he thinks he can't fall asleep without them--he won't.  All it is is Tylenol and Benedryl.  That's it.
899287
I don't think this is something you should just learn to live with. I highly recommend making an appointment with your doctor and go over different medications for you. You need to keep an open mind.\nPain pills often do have side effects, but surely there is something else you can take that won't cause your pain to be unbearable.
1176461
dude, stop doing it. i m addicted and then, if u cant stop, ure hand joints willl start hurting. but... mas is a good feelin