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PSA: ibuprofen during an IM - please read

mgraffeomgraffeo
in Racing Forum 🏎

I try to remember to post this around the beginning of IM season, but this year am running a little late.

 Team, we've had many threads over the years here in EN on the risks of taking ibuprofen during an IM.  Two in particular are

http://members.endurancenation.us/Forums/tabid/57/aft/3826/Default.aspx#52148

and

http://members.endurancenation.us/Forums/tabid/57/aft/8139/Default.aspx#103416

Please take a quick look through them, if you've considered taking ibuprofen during a race.  Yes, there are PLENTY of n=1 anecdotes of athletes who've taken ibuprofen during a race, and several who've suggested that it made a big difference.  I urge the team to consider the difference between anecdotes and science.  Many folks much smarter than me about physiology and pharmacokinetics (docs in the threads include Al, Kitima, Kevin, Jamison, sorry if I've missed anybody) have chimed in to suggest that you're taking a risk that's not worth taking when you take ibuprofen during an IM.  Let's not forget that we're all participating in recreational athletics here.

Comments

  • Peter WickPeter Wick
    Agreed. Any non-styeroidal anti-inflammatory drug is a poor choice during such long exertion.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Here's a summary of the science on NSAIDS and acute and chronic kidney failure:

    http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/analgesicnephropathy/

    Note this sentence: "Some of these patients experienced acute illnesses involving fluid loss or decreased fluid intake." Like at the end of an Ironman, maybe?

    If you need anecdotes, here are two: former NBA stars Sean Elliot and Alonzo Mourning. Both received kidney transplants after they destroyed their kidneys. Some people believe its because they were popping "Vitamin I" like candy.

  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

    agreed.     

    do not take nsaids during, shortly before, or shorty after training or racing.

    tylenol ok.      more than 2500 to 4000 mg per day can hurt your liver.      otherwise, if you need racing pain something, this is it.

     

     

  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    I hear what you guys are saying. I am starting to crack up thinking about the ALL the recreational drugs I fed myself in high school over a period of years without giving it a thought and now I am stressing about two advil I took at the 1/2 point of the run at IMCDA.

    For what it's worth, I probably take fewer than 10 advil all year and the two I took at CDA sure seemed to make me feel better, but a lot of that could be in my head. Two gummy bears disguised as advil may have done the trick as well....

  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    Dino, I'm going to start selling turmeric-laced gummy bears as anti-inflammatory bears for use on the IM run!
  • jodigregjodigreg
    I'm 51 so I have my share of chronic aches and pains. I have found that a 10 minute ice bath after a long bike or long run is better than drugs...and I hate cold water. Give it a try. Your kidneys will thank you
  • Bill McKeeBill McKee
    Mike thank you for bringing this up!! It is really important for Races and Training at these mid-summer Temps!


    Some of that 2010 discussion grew out of Trent's experience in IMLP. He took Ibuprofen on an empty & dehydrated stomach. I know that his experience really made an impact on me and I have avoided Ibuprofen during training/races ever since. Before that I had never even thought about it, having read it was actually smart to have couple aspirin/Tylenol in your bag for use during a race "just in case".

    Here was Trent's report. Don't let it happen to you!

    http://members.endurancenation.us/Forums/tabid/57/aft/2909/Default.aspx

    Thanks for the PSA Mike!
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