The danger with turning to over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen for sunburn lies in their ease of access, which can make people feel like they don’t come with a host of side effects. But experts stress that NSAIDs can have adverse health effects, especially when misused or overused.
While there is no specific data on turning to ibuprofen to treat a sunburn, your gut health suffers when you take ibuprofen every day. Ibuprofen has been associated with gas, bloating, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, leaky gut, gastrointestinal bleeding, and ulcers. For people with existing gastrointestinal conditions or those with high blood pressure, even limited ibuprofen use could become problematic, per experts. For others, “It’s not without risk, but you can feel pretty safe taking it for about three days. Take no more than 400 to 600 milligrams, three times a day, with food. Otherwise, it can ruin your stomach,” advised internist Dr. Janet Morgan (via Cleveland Clinic).
Cloudy urine, itching skin, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, skin rashes, difficulty breathing, unusual bleeding or bruising, swelling in the face, hands, fingers, legs, feet, or ankles, and weight gain are other common side effects of ibuprofen use. Drugs.com has a more comprehensive list of its uncommon and rare side effects. While those over 50 should avoid the ibuprofen mistake of mixing the drug with other pills they might be on (sunburn or not), some medications that react negatively with ibuprofen include beta-blockers, warfarin, and diuretics. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, speak with your healthcare provider before you consume the NSAID.