By taking gabapentin and ibuprofen together, you may end up with twice as many of the same side effects. For instance, Mayo Clinic explains that some people who take ibuprofen experience a variety of gastrointestinal concerns like bloating and nausea. As mentioned previously, gabapentin can cause some of those same reactions. Ibuprofen can also affect some people’s respiratory systems, as can gabapentin, as noted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In fact, gabapentin may make breathing challenging. Consequently, using both drugs at the same time could put you at greater risk of having abnormal abdominal and respiratory responses.
With that said, one 1999 study from Anesthesiology indicated a possible use for gabapentin and ibuprofen for predictable pain management after injury. Additionally, Mayo Clinic doesn’t include ibuprofen in its lengthy list of drugs known to interact with gabapentin. Nevertheless, you should speak with your physician prior to taking the medications as a precautionary health decision.