Can ibuprofen hurt your stomach?

Yes - this is ibuprofen's signature risk, and MedlinePlus states it plainly: NSAIDs like ibuprofen can cause ulcers, bleeding, or holes in the esophagus, stomach, or intestine, and these can develop at any time during treatment, sometimes without warning symptoms. The mechanism: the same enzyme-blocking that dulls pain also shuts down the prostaglandins that maintain your stomach's protective mucus lining, leaving it exposed to acid. Risk climbs with: higher doses and longer use, age over 65, past ulcers or bleeding, smoking, regular alcohol, and combining with blood thinners, aspirin, other NSAIDs, steroids, or SSRIs. How to use it safely: take the lowest effective dose for the shortest time, swallow it with food or milk, skip alcohol while on it, and never double it with naproxen or aspirin. The stop-and-call signs: stomach pain or heartburn that is new or worsening, vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds, or stools that are black and tarry - those mean possible bleeding. If you need daily pain relief for weeks, ask about stomach-protective co-prescription or whether acetaminophen covers it. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you weigh your own risk factors.