*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature P: Personality Disorders.

Side Effects Of Ibuprofen

NHS medicines information on side effects of ibuprofen and what you can do to cope.

Common side effects of tablets, capsules, granules and liquid

These common side effects of ibuprofen taken by mouth happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

Common side effects of gel, mousse and spray

You're less likely to have side effects when you apply ibuprofen to your skin than with tablets, capsules, granules or liquid because less gets into your body. But you may still get the same side effects, especially if you use a lot on a large area of skin.

Applying ibuprofen to your skin can sometimes cause your skin to become more sensitive than normal to sunlight. Speak to your doctor if this is a problem.

Serious side effects

Call a doctor or call 111 straight away and stop taking ibuprofen if you have:

black poo or blood in your vomit - these can be signs of bleeding in your stomach
swollen ankles, blood in your pee or not peeing at all - these can be signs of a kidney problem

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

you have severe chest or stomach pain - these can be signs of a hole in your stomach or gut
you have difficulty breathing, or asthma symptoms that become worse
you get a severe headache, a high temperature or stiff neck, and a dislike of bright lights - these can be signs or inflammation of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges)
you have blurred vision or you see or hear things that are not real (hallucinations)

Find your nearest A&E

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to ibuprofen.

Long term side effects

Ibuprofen can cause ulcers in your stomach or gut, especially if you take it by mouth for a long time or in big doses. If you need to take it for a long time your doctor may also prescribe a medicine to help protect your stomach.

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of ibuprofen tablets, capsules and syrup. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature P: Personality Disorders. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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