Ibuprofen and Older Adults: The Hidden Risks of Mixing Medicines

Taking several medicines each day can be an important part of managing health conditions, particularly as people get older. However, when multiple prescription and over-the-counter medicines are taken together, the possibility of drug interactions can increase.

A recent report has highlighted concerns about medicine-related reactions among older people in the UK. According to figures reported by The Mirror, around 1,000 elderly patients a day are admitted to hospital for emergency care because of reactions to medicines they are taking. The report also points to the growing challenge of managing multiple prescriptions safely.

One medicine receiving particular attention is ibuprofen, a commonly used painkiller. While ibuprofen can be helpful for pain and inflammation, it can interact with other medicines and may increase the risk of complications in certain people.

Why Taking Multiple Medicines Can Be Risky

Many older adults live with several long-term health conditions and may therefore be prescribed a number of different medicines. The source article reports that around eight million people in the UK are at risk of side effects because they take five or more medicines, while approximately 2.2 million people take ten medicines each day.

This is sometimes referred to as polypharmacy, meaning the use of multiple medicines by the same person.

Taking several medicines does not automatically mean that something will go wrong. Medicines can be prescribed together safely when they have been carefully selected and monitored. The concern is that every additional medicine creates another potential opportunity for an interaction, particularly when prescriptions change or over-the-counter products are added.

The risk can become more significant with age because older people may be more vulnerable to changes in blood pressure, kidney function, balance and the effects of medicines on the body.

Research cited in the source article suggests that people taking ten or more medicines are four times more likely to be admitted to hospital because of toxic interactions between medicines.

Ibuprofen and Medicine Interactions

Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly known as NSAIDs. It is widely used for pain and inflammation.

The problem is that ibuprofen can interact with several other types of medicine.

The source article reports that painkillers such as ibuprofen may be involved in up to 30% of hospital medicine reactions involving other drugs.

For people taking several medicines, this is an important reason to check with a doctor or pharmacist before regularly using ibuprofen, particularly if it is being purchased without a prescription.

Blood Pressure Medicines

Some people take medicines such as ramipril or amlodipine to control high blood pressure. The source article explains that combinations involving blood pressure medicines can sometimes contribute to dangerously low blood pressure in older people.

Ibuprofen can also affect how some blood pressure medicines work and may place additional strain on the kidneys.

People taking ACE inhibitors, ARBs or beta-blockers should therefore ask a healthcare professional whether ibuprofen is appropriate for them.

Water Tablets and Kidney Risks

Diuretics, sometimes called water tablets, are commonly prescribed for conditions including high blood pressure and fluid retention.

The source material identifies medicines such as furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide as examples that can interact with ibuprofen. These combinations may reduce the effectiveness of some medicines and increase the risk of kidney problems, particularly when someone is dehydrated.

This is especially relevant for older adults, who may be more susceptible to dehydration and changes in kidney function.

Blood Thinners and Bleeding

Another important concern is the combination of ibuprofen with medicines that affect blood clotting.

Blood thinners and antiplatelet medicines include drugs such as warfarin, heparin, apixaban, rivaroxaban and low-dose aspirin. The source material warns that combining these medicines with ibuprofen can significantly increase the risk of serious internal bleeding.

Anyone taking a blood-thinning medicine should speak to a healthcare professional before taking ibuprofen regularly.

Antidepressants and Steroids

The source also identifies certain antidepressants as medicines that can interact with ibuprofen. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, including medicines such as sertraline, fluoxetine, citalopram and venlafaxine, may increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding when taken with ibuprofen.

Corticosteroids such as prednisone or dexamethasone can also increase the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding when combined with ibuprofen.

These interactions demonstrate why it is important to consider a person's complete medication list rather than looking at each medicine individually.

Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

Medicine-related reactions can take different forms. The source article highlights sudden drops in blood pressure, severe dizziness and confusion as possible consequences of problematic medicine combinations.

Falls can also become a concern, particularly when medicines contribute to dizziness, weakness or low blood pressure.

If someone develops unexpected symptoms after starting a medicine or adding another drug to their routine, they should seek appropriate medical advice rather than assuming the symptoms are simply part of getting older.

Regular Medication Reviews Can Help

One of the most practical ways to reduce the risk of medicine-related problems is to keep prescriptions under regular review.

The NHS response cited in the source article says that care plans for frail older people should include regular medication reviews so that only medicines that remain clinically appropriate are prescribed.

A medication review can help identify medicines that are no longer necessary, potential interactions and changes that may be needed because a person's circumstances have changed.

Patients can also help by keeping an up-to-date list of everything they take. This should include prescription medicines, pharmacy medicines, over-the-counter painkillers and other products. Healthcare professionals need this information to assess potential interactions accurately.

The Key Takeaway

Ibuprofen is a commonly used medicine, but being widely available does not mean it is suitable for everyone in every situation.

The risk of medicine interactions becomes particularly important when someone takes several medicines, is older, has multiple health conditions or is taking drugs that affect blood pressure, kidney function or blood clotting.

The best approach is not necessarily to stop a prescribed medicine or avoid pain relief altogether. Instead, patients should make sure their healthcare professionals know about every medicine they take and ask before adding an over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen to an existing treatment routine.

With appropriate reviews and professional advice, medicines can be managed more safely while reducing avoidable risks associated with potentially harmful combinations.

Source

Mirror report published on 6 September 2026, which cited figures and comments concerning medicine-related hospital admissions, polypharmacy and drug interactions.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Do not stop, change or combine prescription medicines based solely on information in this article. If you take several medicines, are concerned about an interaction, or experience unexpected symptoms, speak with your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified healthcare professional. In an emergency or if you suspect a serious medicine reaction, seek urgent medical attention.