A doctor with a platform on social media has shared the “one thing” he would “never” do, and advised against taking too many of a commonly-used medication as he says it may cause gut damage.
He spread the knowledge on TikTok
Over on TikTok, Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, shared his experience with his 513,000 followers on the platform.
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The Harvard graduate’s video went viral where he was explaining why he would never take too much ibuprofen.
It’s an over-the-counter pill
Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It’s often used to relieve inflammation, fever, and mild pain.
Since it doesn’t require prescription to purchase, people take the medication to treat common headaches, back pain, toothaches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and fevers.
But the doctor warns against taking too much of it
Although people often reach for the medication for quick pain relief, Dr Sethi warned against taking too much ibuprofen. He said it could lead to a number of complications, including damage to the gut.
The drug can cause ulcers in the stomach or gut, according to the National Health Services in the UK.
It can happen especially if you take big doses
Damage to the gut can happen as a side effect of ibuprofen especially for anyone who takes it for a long time or in big doses, and if the medication is taken by mouth.
He briefly explained the information
Dr Sethi said in the video, “There is one thing I would never do as a gastroenterologist and that is take too much ibuprofen.”
“Seventy five percent of people who take them regularly develop gut inflammation and one in four can develop ulcers,” he added.
The doctor emphasized the risks
“I perform endoscopies regularly and see these ulcers first hand. And savers reduce blood flow to the gut, which can harm its lining,” Dr Sethi went on.
“I’ve seen young, otherwise healthy people come in with gut damage so severe they ended up in the ER, just because they did not know the risk of these medications.”
He explained what you can do instead
The doctor shared that you shouldn’t be taking the medicine “more than a couple times a month,” and explained what you can do instead.
“If you’re taking these medicines more than a couple times a month, here are three things you can do. First, talk to your doctor about alternatives,” Dr Sethi said.
He recommended asking for protective meds
“Second, talk to your doctor about using a stomach protecting medication. And third, take these medicines with food to minimize the risk of damage to the gut lining,” the doctor explained.