by Anthony Paul Smith,The Conversation

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Millionsof people in the UK suffer from joint pain and arthritis. But with long wait times for scans, specialist appointments, physiotherapy, andjoint replacement surgery, many people turn to over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen, to manage their joint pain, stay active, and continue working.

Ibuprofen is one of themost prescribeddrugs in England and one of the UK'smost purchasedover-the-counter medicines.

Although ibuprofen is cheap and effective in the short term,it is not risk-free—especially when used frequently.

Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. These medicines work byreducing inflammation, swelling and pain.

For joint pain flare-ups, this can improve comfort and movement temporarily.Research suggestsNSAIDs can provide modest short-term pain relief for arthritis, particularly during painful episodes.

But while it can ease symptoms, it does not address the underlying joint changes associated with arthritis, such as cartilage deterioration, bone changes, and joint inflammation.

Some people may also come to rely on ibuprofen without trying other approaches to pain management, such as exercise, weight loss, and physiotherapy, which areimportant for long-term joint health.

Why long-term use can become a problem

Many people assume that because ibuprofen is available without a prescription, it mustbe relatively harmless. But "over-the-counter"does not always mean "low risk."

One of the main hazards of long-term ibuprofen use is stomach irritation. Ibuprofen can damage thestomach liningand increase the risk of ulcers and internal bleeding. Some people develop indigestion or stomach pain, while others may not notice symptoms untilserious bleeding occurs.

This risk becomes greater with higher doses (particularly 2,400mg a day or more), prolonged use over weeks to months, and if a person isover the age of 65.

Ibuprofen can also harm the kidneys. The kidneys rely on healthy blood flow to work properly, and NSAIDscan reduce this blood supply. They do this by blocking the body's natural chemicals that help keep blood vessels in the kidneys open, particularly during illness and periods of dehydration or reduced circulation.

This caninjure the kidneysor worsen their function, particularly in people who are dehydrated, or those with chronic kidney disease or heart disease.

There arecardiovascular concerns, too. Long-term NSAID use has been associated with raised blood pressure, fluid retention, and increased risk ofheart complicationsin some patients.

Asthma is another important consideration. Some people with asthma are sensitive to NSAIDs and may experience wheezing orbreathing difficultiesafter taking ibuprofen. This is thought to happen because NSAIDs alter natural chemicals in the body that help keep theairways open.

Older adults with joint pain are also more likely to be takingmultiple prescribed medicines. Taking ibuprofen alongside blood pressure tablets, blood thinners, antidepressants, or certain diabetes medications can increase therisk of complicationsor reduce how effectively other medicines work.

This is particularly important because osteoarthritis becomesmore common with age. So the people most likely to use ibuprofen regularly are often thosemost vulnerable to its side effects.

This doesn't mean ibuprofen should never be used. For many people, short-term use at thelowest effective dosecan be helpful. But regular, long-term use without consulting a doctor is where concerns begin to increase.

Alternatives to ibuprofen

Ibuprofen isn't the only option for managing joint pain and stiffness.

Exercise, for instance, has strongresearch backing as a treatment for osteoarthritis.

This may sound counterintuitive to someone already in pain, butstrengthening the musclesaround painful joints can reduce pressure, improve movement, and decrease symptoms over time. Walking, cycling, swimming, and strengthening exercises—such as resistance exercise—can all help.

Weight managementis also important, particularly for knee and hip pain. This is because reducing body weight can lessenstress and inflammation in the joints.

Physiotherapy is also effective at helping people improve strength, mobility, and confidence while learning how to manage flare-ups safely. Many GP practices across the UK now provide access toNHS First Contact Physiotherapists. These specialist physiotherapists can assess joint pain without patients needing to see a GP first.

They can help identify when pain may require further investigation, advise on exercise and self-management strategies, and support people in making informed decisions about medication use.

Other strategiesthat may help you manage joint pain includepacing your activities(breaking tasks into smaller periods with breaks),heat therapy(which can help relax muscles and reduce stiffness), andsupportive footwear.Anti-inflammatory gelsthat are applied to the skin can also help reduce symptoms with fewer whole-body side-effects than tablets.

For some people, ibuprofen may still play an important role alongside these measures. But pain management is rarely about finding a single quick fix. Instead, it's usually about balancing symptom relief with long-term health and function.

With NHS waiting lists continuing to experience pressure, more people are likely to depend on medicines such as ibuprofen to remain active and independent. But understanding both the benefits and harms of treatment choices is essential.

Ibuprofen can still be useful for managing joint pain. But it's important it's used safely, appropriately, and alongside better long-term approaches for managing joint health.

This article is republished fromThe Conversationunder a Creative Commons license. Read theoriginal article.

Key medical concepts Ibuprofen Arthritis Osteoarthritis Chronic Kidney Disease