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Is Ibuprofen Or Norco Better For Chronic Pain?

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Posted on Sat, 22 Oct 2016
Question: Which is worse, taking Ibuprophen up to 1800 mgs a day for arthritis type pain and fibromyalgia, or taking a half of Norco at night for the night time pain? I don't want to become addicted but I take Ibuprophen everyday just to deal, average 6 + 1200 day but on bad days then I need more at night. Which has the worst side effects? This is long term not able to go short term/low dose. I am 57 years old.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
depends but generally the ibuprophen

Detailed Answer:
Ibuprofen can have effects on the kidney and certainly the stomach lining. Most people can take it with (merely) a slight theoretical increase in risk of stroke and heart attack.
Norco doesn't have effects on the heart,vessels, kidney, nor circulatory system. There is the risk of addiction.

Most people can take either without problems. The duration of action of the ibuprofen is certainly longer. If there is an inflammatory condition, the ibuprofen is actually treating somehting and the norco is just damping down symptoms.

Sounds like you are likely to be taking something every day in any case because the arthritis is going to be an everyday issue. This is not based on any fault of yours (except perhaps posture, balance, joint protection)and is just the current circumstances.

Currently the epidemic of fatal narcotic addiction is predominantly 50 yr olds and narco is one of the most commonly involved drugs connected with addiction in this population. This would be why reasonable physicians might have a problem with it even when there is not a strong pharmacologic reason to be against it.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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Is Ibuprofen Or Norco Better For Chronic Pain?

Brief Answer: depends but generally the ibuprophen Detailed Answer: Ibuprofen can have effects on the kidney and certainly the stomach lining. Most people can take it with (merely) a slight theoretical increase in risk of stroke and heart attack. Norco doesn't have effects on the heart,vessels, kidney, nor circulatory system. There is the risk of addiction. Most people can take either without problems. The duration of action of the ibuprofen is certainly longer. If there is an inflammatory condition, the ibuprofen is actually treating somehting and the norco is just damping down symptoms. Sounds like you are likely to be taking something every day in any case because the arthritis is going to be an everyday issue. This is not based on any fault of yours (except perhaps posture, balance, joint protection)and is just the current circumstances. Currently the epidemic of fatal narcotic addiction is predominantly 50 yr olds and narco is one of the most commonly involved drugs connected with addiction in this population. This would be why reasonable physicians might have a problem with it even when there is not a strong pharmacologic reason to be against it.