richard kirk

I read in a Readers DIgest article that a new UCLA study has indicated that
Ibuprofen can reduce brain plaque.

Does anyone have any information regarding this?

tumbleweed

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Tumbleweed

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mary k farrell

Hi, Richard:
According to our neurologist, yes ibuprofen *can* reduce brain plaque. But
"can" is the operative word. I didn't ask her just how it works. The only
thing is that ibuprofen also allows for blood flow; that's why they have
people take the****utic doses of it to prevent stroke. If your LO is taking
Vitamin E, you may want to be careful about giving ibuprofen because both
tend to cause bleeding. If the LO is taking Vitamin E and Ginkgo Biloba as
well as ibuprofen, guarantee they're going to bleed. I had George on the
Vitamin E 2000IU and Ginkgo Biloba but no ibuprofen or ASA. Aside from the
bruising on the arms (which older people get anyway), he had internal
bleeding. Needless to say, he no longer takes the Ginkgo. He used to also
occasionally take Indomethacin for arthritis pain. Can't do it because that
also causes bleeding. So, in answer to your question, yes ibuprofen can get
rid of plaques, but not necessarily enough to warrant using it for that
reason. And be careful with whatever you're mixing with it in case another
medication has the same type effect.
Mary K

hgoldste

: thing is that ibuprofen also allows for blood flow; that's why they have
: people take the****utic doses of it to prevent stroke. If your LO is taking

With the proviso that I have _zero_ training in stuff medical [1] I'm
curious whether, with regard to preventing stroke, the substance used
is perhaps mislabelled? ISTR aspirin is used for this due to its
anticoagulant (sp?) effects (?)


[1] other than that picked up by osmosis like everyone else here, as a
caregiver for an AD person

mary k farrell

Ibuprofen is what they call an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug),
such as Motrin. Aspirin (ASA) is found in Excedrin, Bayer aspirin, etc. Both
can be used to get rid of or prevent clots, thus causing stroke. Both also
cause bleeding, which is why they can be used for such things. Check the PDR
(Physicians' Desk Reference) and take a look at the Contraindications, Side
Effects, Warnings, etc. Aspirin can be bought in a "the****utic dose", as
far as I know Ibuprofen cannot (but I won't swear to that. I've been away
from the business for too long).
Mary K

Somewhat in regards to this, my mom was on (one a day...?mg) Mobic,
another nsaid with supposedly fewer side effects than ibuprofen. It
was for her knees ... psuedo-gout. Anyway, after my sister asked (at
my request), the Dr. agreed that ibuprofen did the same thing, except
for maybe fewer stomach problems with expensive Mobic. He said she
could take ibuprofen instead, but instead of one a day (what is an
equivalent dose?), he said take ibuprofen "as needed". That seemed
strange to me, especially since he didn't offer an equivalent dosage
recommendation. These Dr's aren't supposed to get the free trips
anymore for prescribing the expensive drugs, but I still wonder.

Also, a drug rep told me (years back) that ibuprofen was the same
stuff as the (at that time?) prescribed Motrin, or maybe it was
another name then...

Let the buyer beware ...

Regards,
Bill

dpharris

Motrin and Advil are both ibuprofen. Ibuprofen should usually
not be taken constantly, because it can cause liver damage (as
can acetaminophen, aka Tylenol. Aspirin can too, if you take too
much, but it has the least side effects, the worst one being that
it can cause or aggravate stomach ulcers in some folks. I'm very
aspirin tolerant, but can't take Tylenol.

hgoldste

: such as Motrin. Aspirin (ASA) is found in Excedrin, Bayer aspirin, etc. Both
: can be used to get rid of or prevent clots, thus causing stroke. Both also
: cause bleeding, which is why they can be used for such things. Check the PDR
: (Physicians' Desk Reference) and take a look at the Contraindications, Side
: Effects, Warnings, etc. Aspirin can be bought in a "the****utic dose", as
: far as I know Ibuprofen cannot (but I won't swear to that. I've been away
: from the business for too long).
: Mary K

Thank you for setting me straight Mary