Ibuprofen in Spain

[Zordmot]

Just a heads-up regarding Ibuprofen if that is a med-of-choice for you in relation to the aches and pains of life.

It is readily available in Spain at pharmacies with the green sign. It comes in 400 mg tablets.

However, if you use it at the clinical (prescribed) dosage of 600 mg you’ll have a problem. The workaround is if you bring a good supply of 200 mg tablets with you from home to augment 1:1 the 400 mg tablets available here.

Just thought that you’d want to know.

Zordmot

 

[Former member 49149]

Just a heads-up regarding Ibuprofen if that is a med-of-choice for you in relation to the aches and pains of life.

It is readily available in Spain at pharmacies with the green sign. It comes in 400 mg tablets.

However, if you use it at the clinical (prescribed) dosage of 600 mg you’ll have a problem. The workaround is if you bring a good supply of 200 mg tablets with you from home to augment 1:1 the 400 mg tablets available here.

Just thought that you’d want to know.

Zordmot

What I want to know is what you think of the suggestions on the thread about the albergue you were asking about....

 

[SabsP]

Yes, Grañon is it! I had another great experience there!

That is why I like a good old fashioned paper notebook when on a Camino.
Writing down my not so original thoughts plus keeping track of all the wonderful people I meet, places I visit...etc.

 

[SabsP]

Yes, Grañon is it! I had another great experience there!

Then maybe tell the people in that thread who were so friendly for you to help with the search?

 

[Former member 92300]

Yes - Ibuprofen comes in higher strengths in Europe than it does in the US and I for one, don't think that is a good thing! High doses of ibuprofen is a problem, especially when being used frequently. Those coming from the US need to be sure they are taking just 1 of the European 400mg tabs if they are accustomed to taking 2-200mg tabs in the US. The higher the dose and the more frequently you take it can case serious negative effects. I personally can't even take 400mg at one time (doesn't matter if it is 2-200mg tabs or 1-400mg tab), so I always bring my own 200mg tabs from the US. Anyhow - ibuprofen is a wonderful medication for hikers - but knowing how to use it correctly is important. And the "clinical" dosing of 600-800mg should be used only under physician supervision and for limited time periods.

 

[Richard of York]

It may have been mentioned elsewhere but co-codamol is over-the-counter in the UK but prescription in Europe. Bring some if you think you might need it.

 

[Kitkat1066]

Can I get the gel tab version of Ibuprofen in Spain, I get it in Ireland because the normal tablets cause stomach problems?

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Just a heads-up regarding Ibuprofen if that is a med-of-choice for you in relation to the aches and pains of life.

It is readily available in Spain at pharmacies with the green sign. It comes in 400 mg tablets.

However, if you use it at the clinical (prescribed) dosage of 600 mg you’ll have a problem. The workaround is if you bring a good supply of 200 mg tablets with you from home to augment 1:1 the 400 mg tablets available here.

Just thought that you’d want to know.

Zordmot

Within Spain the different regions run their medical services relatively independently from each other and what you can buy over the counter changes. At one stage when I asked a pharmacist for grande ibuprofen I was given a handful of 800 mg tablets and sent on my way. When I stopped at another pharmacist a couple of weeks later for a refill he would only give me 400mg tablets even when I showed him the Spanish packaging of my prior purchase.

 

[dougfitz]

I haven't had any problems getting packets of 200mg ibuprofen tablets in Portugal, and my wife was able to get 600mg sachets of a soluble ibuprofen when we were in Spain last.

 

[Bradypus]

It may have been mentioned elsewhere but co-codamol is over-the-counter in the UK but prescription in Europe. Bring some if you think you might need it.

Co-codamol is only available over the counter in the UK with the relatively low 8mg dose of codeine. 15/500 and 30/500 tablets are prescription-only.

 

[Henry B]

Chop a 400brufen in half. Voila..

 

[Gerard Griffin]

They don't call them Camino Candy for nothing

 

[dougfitz]

Chop a 400brufen in half. Voila..

But be careful. The tablets I have been supplied in Portugal are film coated rather than a single homogeneous pill. Whatever the reason for that is, I would be cautious about cutting this in half.

In Australia I use modified release paracetamol to manage osteoarthritis related pain. It looks like it might be an homogeneous preparation, but isn't.

I would suggest checking with a pharmacist before engaging in pill cutting.

 

[wayfarer]

But be careful. The tablets I have been supplied in Portugal are film coated rather than a single homogeneous pill. Whatever the reason for that is, I would be cautious about cutting this in half.

In Australia I use modified release paracetamol to manage osteoarthritis related pain. It looks like it might be an homogeneous preparation, but isn't.

I would suggest checking with a pharmacist before engaging in pill cutting.

They are coated so as not to dissolve in your stomach but rather in the intestine, cutting them can cause problems if you suffer from ulcers or have a sensitive tummy.
Throwing ibuprofen at pain is not a good idea unless you have cleared it with your doctor, even if they are over the counter, they can have a detrimental effect on your heart, and worse still if you have a heart condition.

"Like any drug, if ibuprofen is taken in higher than recommended doses, it can harm your health. Overuse of ibuprofen can seriously damage your digestive system, interfere with your hormones, and increase your risk of heart attacks and stroke. In some cases, ibuprofen overdose can be deadly.8 Mar 2019"

 

[Zordmot]

Yes, Grañon is it! I had another great experience there!

But be careful. The tablets I have been supplied in Portugal are film coated rather than a single homogeneous pill. Whatever the reason for that is, I would be cautious about cutting this in half.

In Australia I use modified release paracetamol to manage osteoarthritis related pain. It looks like it might be an homogeneous preparation, but isn't.

I would suggest checking with a pharmacist before engaging in pill cutting.

The modified release paracetamol is available in Spain. In the US it’s sold as “8 hour Osteo Tylenol”.

 

[Zordmot]

They are coated so as not to dissolve in your stomach but rather in the intestine, cutting them can cause problems if you suffer from ulcers or have a sensitive tummy.
Throwing ibuprofen at pain is not a good idea unless you have cleared it with your doctor, even if they are over the counter, they can have a detrimental effect on your heart, and worse still if you have a heart condition.

"Like any drug, if ibuprofen is taken in higher than recommended doses, it can harm your health. Overuse of ibuprofen can seriously damage your digestive system, interfere with your hormones, and increase your risk of heart attacks and stroke. In some cases, ibuprofen overdose can be deadly.8 Mar 2019"

Acetaminophen is the #1 culprit for accidental overdose deaths in the US. In addition there are many cases of liver failure when it’s mixed in any quantity with alcohol.

 

[José F.]

Can I get the gel tab version of Ibuprofen in Spain, I get it in Ireland because the normal tablets cause stomach problems?

Yes, Ibuprofen gel is available in pharmacies over the counter in Spain.

 

[Delphinoula]

Just a thought talk to your physician about your correct dosage your weight may play a role in this as well.
Asthmatic may want to be really careful here.
Pain is an alert listen to it and see what you need to change.
If you not mindful on the Camino where else would you start.
Like walking up and down on the Portuguese my Knees were screaming. May be resting a day or having your back pack transported , shorter intervals, stretching with me walking backward worked and lots of water simple the gel in your joints are water you do not drink enough your body takes it were it can.
Chemicals are just a short cut useful after an injury, but are just that.

 

[CPURKS]

Yes - Ibuprofen comes in higher strengths in Europe than it does in the US and I for one, don't think that is a good thing! High doses of ibuprofen is a problem, especially when being used frequently. Those coming from the US need to be sure they are taking just 1 of the European 400mg tabs if they are accustomed to taking 2-200mg tabs in the US. The higher the dose and the more frequently you take it can case serious negative effects. I personally can't even take 400mg at one time (doesn't matter if it is 2-200mg tabs or 1-400mg tab), so I always bring my own 200mg tabs from the US. Anyhow - ibuprofen is a wonderful medication for hikers - but knowing how to use it correctly is important. And the "clinical" dosing of 600-800mg should be used only under physician supervision and for limited time periods.

Yes - Ibuprofen comes in higher strengths in Europe than it does in the US and I for one, don't think that is a good thing! High doses of ibuprofen is a problem, especially when being used frequently. Those coming from the US need to be sure they are taking just 1 of the European 400mg tabs if they are accustomed to taking 2-200mg tabs in the US. The higher the dose and the more frequently you take it can case serious negative effects. I personally can't even take 400mg at one time (doesn't matter if it is 2-200mg tabs or 1-400mg tab), so I always bring my own 200mg tabs from the US. Anyhow - ibuprofen is a wonderful medication for hikers - but knowing how to use it correctly is important. And the "clinical" dosing of 600-800mg should be used only under physician supervision and for limited time periods.

An alternative is the topical non-steroidal gel now available without a prescription, less systemic absorption and is more site specific if that is what is hurting. Now if its the whole body you may want the tablets, but yes care with high doses and too often..

 

[Delphinoula]

wick vaporup, my selfmade cream with peppermint oil, or Counterpain Analgesic Hot Cream 120g or and a miniature tense module which of course you need a bit of a training if you are suffering from chronic pain
I know I am having fun with this
but there is one cost free weight free no side effects
fantastic right?
If you gave birth you learnt how to over breath pain it works but you need practice and yes the other half of the population can learn it as well

 

[John Ferguson]

Just a heads-up regarding Ibuprofen if that is a med-of-choice for you in relation to the aches and pains of life.

It is readily available in Spain at pharmacies with the green sign. It comes in 400 mg tablets.

However, if you use it at the clinical (prescribed) dosage of 600 mg you’ll have a problem. The workaround is if you bring a good supply of 200 mg tablets with you from home to augment 1:1 the 400 mg tablets available here.

Just thought that you’d want to know.

Zordmot

They also have an Ibuprofen topical jell that is magic.

 

[SabsP]

When a new thread about the " so called wondertreatment of Ibuprofen " appears I always think of the wise words from forummember @timr : post # 44.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/ibuprofen-side-effects.52209/#post-578849

 

[Former member 92300]

An alternative is the topical non-steroidal gel now available without a prescription, less systemic absorption and is more site specific if that is what is hurting. Now if its the whole body you may want the tablets, but yes care with high doses and too often..

Very true. I do a combination of both. 200mg ibuprofen before bed and when I wake up until my body is no longer achy from adapting to the new physical challenge. And the gel as needed on specific areas. Works well for me. But I need to keep to the lowest doses of ibuprofen most days.

 

[dougfitz]

The modified release paracetamol is available in Spain. In the US it’s sold as “8 hour Osteo Tylenol”.

Are you sure about that? Do you have a product name? I ask because I have not seen it in Spain, Portugal or the UK on recent visits.

 

[BookGirl305]

People are so polite... "damage to digestive system"= loose bowels.
Yup, know this one from experience.
So, if you find yourself having a very sudden need to poo, take a look at your ibuprofen usage. Even the 200mg ones can add up over time.

 

[Baba John]

Just a heads-up regarding Ibuprofen if that is a med-of-choice for you in relation to the aches and pains of life.

It is readily available in Spain at pharmacies with the green sign. It comes in 400 mg tablets.

However, if you use it at the clinical (prescribed) dosage of 600 mg you’ll have a problem. The workaround is if you bring a good supply of 200 mg tablets with you from home to augment 1:1 the 400 mg tablets available here.

Just thought that you’d want to know.

Zordmot

Ibuprofen is a good remedy for those 'aches and pains', but you might want to consider Napraxen Sodium if your taking regular daily doses. As a nurse I have been made aware from my nurse practitioner colleagues that studies are showing that there is less stress on the liver as the compound is being processed. Available at your local pharmacy.
Good walking to you all.

Peace be with you.

 

[Robi Diaz De Vivar]

Just a heads-up regarding Ibuprofen if that is a med-of-choice for you in relation to the aches and pains of life.

It is readily available in Spain at pharmacies with the green sign. It comes in 400 mg tablets.

However, if you use it at the clinical (prescribed) dosage of 600 mg you’ll have a problem. The workaround is if you bring a good supply of 200 mg tablets with you from home to augment 1:1 the 400 mg tablets available here.

Just thought that you’d want to know.

Zordmot

Sorry but this is a no-brainer. The 400 mg tablets have a deep groove through the middle which makes them easy to split if you want to take a 600 mg dose.

 

[Eddiebee]

I took a 600 about 6 in the morning and another about 4 in the afternoon. No problems.

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Just a heads-up regarding Ibuprofen if that is a med-of-choice for you in relation to the aches and pains of life.

It is readily available in Spain at pharmacies with the green sign. It comes in 400 mg tablets.

However, if you use it at the clinical (prescribed) dosage of 600 mg you’ll have a problem. The workaround is if you bring a good supply of 200 mg tablets with you from home to augment 1:1 the 400 mg tablets available here.

Just thought that you’d want to know.

Zordmot

In 2013 I had knee issues and was taking those (600mg) for relief....didn't work. When I got back to the states I went to my cardiologist for a routine check up and was told I was anemic, doctor was convinced I had colon cancer. After tests it was determined I had "Varicose veins" in my colon caused by the Ibprofin.
Caution taking them to often.