Caution is required in patients with certain conditions:
• Systemic lupus erythematosus as well as those with mixed connective tissue disease due to increased risk of aseptic meningitis (see Section 4.8)
• Gastrointestinal disorders and chronic inflammatory intestinal disease as these conditions may be exacerbated (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) (see Section 4.8)
• Caution is required prior to starting treatment in patients with a history of hypertension and/or heart failure. Oedema, hypertension and/or cardiac impairment as renal function may deteriorate and/or fluid retention occur (see Section 4.8)
• Renal impairment as renal function may deteriorate (see Section 4.3 and 4.8)
• Hepatic dysfunction (see 4.3 and 4.8)
Undesirable effects may be minimised by using the minimum effective dose for the shortest possible duration necessary to control symptoms. (See GI and cardiovascular risks below).
Renal tubular acidosis and hypokalaemia may occur following acute overdose and in patients taking ibuprofen products over long periods at high doses (typically greater than 4 weeks), including doses exceeding the recommended daily dose.
The elderly are at increased risk of the serious consequences of adverse reactions.
Caution should be exercised when initiating treatment with ibuprofen in children with considerable dehydration. There is a risk of renal impairment in dehydrated children.
Bronchospasm may be precipitated in patients suffering from or with a previous history of bronchial asthma or allergic disease.
Use with concomitant NSAIDs including cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors should be avoided (see section 4.5).
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects
Clinical studies suggest that use of ibuprofen, particularly at high doses (2400 mg/day) may be associated with a small increased risk of arterial thrombotic events (for example myocardial infarction or stroke). Overall, epidemiological studies do not suggest that low dose ibuprofen (e.g. ≤ 1200 mg daily) is associated with an increased risk of arterial thrombotic events.
Patients with uncontrolled hypertension, congestive heart failure (NYHA II-III), established ischaemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and/or cerebrovascular disease should only be treated with ibuprofen after careful consideration and high doses (2400 mg/day) should be avoided.
Careful consideration should also be exercised before initiating long-term treatment of patients with risk factors for cardiovascular events (e.g. hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking), particularly if high doses of ibuprofen (2400 mg/day) are required.
Cases of Kounis syndrome have been reported in patients treated with Anadin Joint Pain. Kounis syndrome has been defined as cardiovascular symptoms secondary to an allergic or hypersensitive reaction associated with constriction of coronary arteries and potentially leading to myocardial infarction.
There is some evidence that drugs which inhibit cyclo-oxygenase/prostaglandin synthesis, may cause impairment of female fertility by an effect on ovulation. This is reversible upon withdrawal of treatment.
GI bleeding, ulceration and perforation, which can be fatal, has been reported with all NSAIDs at any time during treatment, with or without warning symptoms or a previous history of serious GI events (including ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease).
The risk of GI bleeding, ulceration or perforation is higher with increasing NSAID doses, in patients with a history of ulcer, particularly if complicated with haemorrhage or perforation (see section 4.3), and in the elderly. These patients should commence treatment on the lowest dose available.
Patients with a history of GI toxicity, particularly the elderly, should report any unusual abdominal symptoms (especially GI bleeding) particularly in the initial stages of treatment.
Caution should be advised in patients receiving concomitant medications which could increase the risk of gastrotoxicity or bleeding, such as corticosteroids, or anticoagulants such as warfarin, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or anti-platelet agents such as aspirin (see Section 4.5).
Where GI bleeding or ulceration occurs in patients receiving ibuprofen, the treatment should be withdrawn immediately.
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs): Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens- Johnson syndrome (SJS), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS syndrome), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), which can be life-threatening or fatal, have been reported in association with the use of ibuprofen (see section 4.8). Most of these reactions occurred within the first month.
If signs and symptoms suggestive of these reactions appear Anadin Joint Pain should be withdrawn immediately and an alternative treatment considered (as appropriate).
Masking of symptoms of underlying infections
Anadin Ultra can mask symptoms of infection, which may lead to delayed initiation of appropriate treatment and thereby worsening the outcome of the infection. This has been observed in bacterial community acquired pneumonia and bacterial complications to varicella. When Anadin Ultra is administered for fever or pain relief in relation to infection, monitoring of infection is advised. In non-hospital settings, the patient should consult a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.
Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take this medicine. This medicine contains 40mg of potassium per dose. To be taken into consideration by patients with reduced kidney function or patients on a controlled potassium diet.
There is a risk of renal impairment in dehydrated children and adolescents, between the ages of 12-18 year olds.
Keep out of sight and reach of children.
The label will include:
12-18 years: if symptoms worsen, or persist for more than 3 days, or you get new symptoms consult your doctor.
Adults: if symptoms worsen, or persist for more than 10 days, or you get new symptoms consult your pharmacist or doctor.
Read the enclosed leaflet before taking this product.
Do not take if you:
• have ever had a stomach ulcer, perforation or bleeding
• are allergic to ibuprofen (or anything else in this medicine), aspirin or other related painkillers
• are taking other NSAID painkillers, or aspirin with a daily dose above 75mg
• are in the last 3 months of pregnancy.
Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor before taking if you:
• have asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, had a stroke, heart, liver, kidney or bowel problems
• are a smoker
• are pregnant