Effectiveness, safety and use of ibuprofen not subject to medical prescription

INTRODUCTION Non-steroidal anti-infl ammatory drugs are among the most commonly consumed drugs in the world. In 2012, the Spanish Agency of Medicine and Health Products (AEMPS) issued informative note number 15/2012 according to which the balance between the benefits and risks of NSAIDs remained positive, but that they should be used in smaller doses and for the shortest time possible. This study is a review of the use, effectiveness and safety of ibuprofen as a drug that is not subject to medical prescription. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic review of scientifi c literature on the use, effectiveness and safety of ibuprofen at doses of less than 1,200 mg/day in the community pharmacy area was carried out. The database used was Medline. Studies carried out on adults with self-limited diseases with any kind of use of ibuprofen were included. RESULTS Twenty-five articles were selected. Results in terms of effectiveness on pathologies such as stress headache and migraines, primary dysmenorrhoea, pain, flu and colds were shown, demonstrating its effectiveness for pain and fever. It shows a relative risk of tratabetween 1.1 and 2.4 of serious intestinal secondary effects. At the recommended doses, it is well tolerated with secondary effects that are comparable to the placebo. There are cases of taking doses that are too large of between 21.7% and 44.0% and there are differences with regard to knowledge about the drug. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness and safety of ibuprofen have been well established, and it would be advisable to carry out more in-depth studies on flu and colds, taking into account different doses of ibuprofen. It would be advisable to have studies on the use and knowledge of ibuprofen in Spain.