Ibuprofen is used by many people to relieve pain, lessen swelling and to reduce fever. Though there are many worrying side effects linked to overuse of the drug, a new ibuprofen patch has been developed that can deliver the drug at a consistent dose rate without the side effects linked to the oral form.
The patch was developed by researchers at the University of Warwick in the UK, led by research chemist Prof. David Haddleton.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recently strengthened the warning labels that accompany nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen.
New labels warn that such drugs increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, and these events happen without warning, potentially causing death. Furthermore, such risks are higher for people who take NSAIDs for a long time.
Ibuprofen can also cause ulcers, bleeding or holes in the stomach or intestine.
With these risks in mind, finding an alternative way to relieve pain without the risks is a worthwhile endeavor. Though there are commercial patches on the market designed to soothe pain, this is the first patch that delivers ibuprofen through the skin.
"Many commercial patches surprisingly don't contain any pain relief agents at all," says Prof. Haddleton, "they simply soothe the body by a warming effect."
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