Adverse effects of NSAIDs during training?

Asked by: Jeff Fogel

A short term use of NSAIDs seems to work well despite the impact on muscle repair, but long term use can lead to gastrointestinal complications, renal failure, liver failure, and heart failure. NSAIDs are best used for short term relief of soreness for muscles.

How can NSAIDs affect exercise?

These popular medicines, known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, work by suppressing inflammation. But according to two new studies, in the process they potentially may also overtax the kidneys during prolonged exercise and reduce muscles’ ability to recover afterward.

What are potential adverse effects of NSAIDs?

Possible side effects of NSAIDs include:

• indigestion – including stomach aches, feeling sick and diarrhoea.
• stomach ulcers – these can cause internal bleeding and anaemia; extra medicine to protect your stomach may be prescribed to help reduce this risk.
• headaches.
• drowsiness.
• dizziness.
• allergic reactions.

Can you exercise while taking NSAIDs?

Bottom line… it is not advisable or safe to take anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs prior to a strenuous workout. Taking an NSAID before exercise will increase inflammation, put your gut at risk, your heart at risk, your kidneys at risk and it will have no effect on your recovery.

Do NSAIDs affect athletic performance?

Conclusions: Ibuprofen did not reduce the effect of muscle damage and pain on performance. Prophylactic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs did not have an ergogenic effect on running performance after exercise-induced muscle damage in male long-distance runners.

Which of the following are potential side effects of NSAIDs in older adults?

NSAIDs, like other drugs, have the risk of side effects. Older people and those with some chronic illnesses may have increased risk for side effects from NSAIDs.
These include:

• irritation or pain.
• heartburn.
• gas.
• diarrhea or constipation.
• bleeding and ulcers.
• nausea.
• vomiting.

What is a potential serious adverse effect of ibuprofen in the elderly patient?

Gastrointestinal side effects such as ulcers and bleeding are the most prevalent and life-threatening problems associated with NSAIDs. Specifically in the elderly, NSAIDs have become a leading cause of hospitalization and may increase the risk of death from ulceration more than 4-fold.

How does ibuprofen affect athletic performance?

The study cautions against the use of Ibuprofen for enhancing athletic performance due to the apparent lack of benefit, and taking Ibuprofen can blunt inflammatory responses that are necessary for skeletal muscle adaptations to exercise training.

Does ibuprofen affect running performance?

Another study confirmed in the laboratory that the use of NSAIDs after exercise slowed the healing of muscles, tissues, ligaments and bones. The research is clear. Taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil and ibuprofen after a workout will result in slower recovery times.

Can I take ibuprofen while exercising?

So bottom line: taking NSAIDs before or after training likely doesn’t have any adverse effect on your strength or muscle growth. In fact, it’s probably the case that taking ibuprofen before training can actually help increase muscle size and strength and allow you to run faster and longer.

Does ibuprofen interfere with muscle growth?

We conclude that a moderate dose of ibuprofen ingested after repeated resistance training sessions does not impair muscle hypertrophy or strength and does not affect ratings of muscle soreness.

Do anti-inflammatories affect muscle growth?

The long-term use of over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory drugs can inhibit muscle growth in young, healthy individuals engaging in weight training, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet, reporting on the effects of ibuprofen on the skeletal muscles and published in Acta Physiologica.

Do NSAIDs slow muscle healing?

In the case of muscle injury, the evidence suggests that NSAID use can significantly delay muscle regeneration and decrease muscle strength and size after repair.

Do NSAIDs help muscle strains?

In conclusion, the findings of our systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that overall, NSAID use can improve the recovery from acute muscle injury by reducing strength loss, soreness, and blood CK level.

Are NSAIDs good for recovery?

No, in most cases anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) don’t help healing. In fact, in some cases it may even delay healing.

Why shouldn’t you take ibuprofen after an injury?

You shouldn’t take ibuprofen for 48 hours after your injury as it may slow down healing.

Should I take ibuprofen for muscle strain?

Muscle ache or pulled/strained muscle.

Ibuprofen typically works better for this kind of pain relief, due to the anti-inflammatory effects.

How long should you take ibuprofen for muscle strain?

You can take both of these medicines together if required. Anti inflammatory medicines should only be considered for use 48 hours after an injury has occurred. If they’re used before this time, they may affect the healing process in some conditions.