Brufen MR Capsule belongs to the class of medications called ‘analgesics’ used in treating acute muscle spasms associated with low back pain. Low back pain, also called lumbago, is a condition that affects the lower portion of the spine. It often occurs due to injury, strain, or sprain in the muscles, bones, or ligaments present in the lower back. In most cases, the only symptom of this condition is a pain in the lower back.

Brufen MR Capsule contains Ibuprofen and Tizanidine. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing prostaglandins' production (chemical substances that cause pain and inflammation) at the affected site (muscle) and reduce pain. Tizanidine is a short-acting muscle relaxant. It works by reducing the activity of the nerves in the brain that control muscles. This effect helps to reduce muscle spasms, thereby improving pain and muscle movements.

You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The common side-effects of Brufen MR Capsule are drowsiness, tiredness, dizziness, low blood pressure, dry mouth, nausea, stomach upset, heartburn, abdominal pain, indigestion, and decrease or increase in heart rate. These side-effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.

It is not recommended to take Brufen MR Capsule if you are allergic to ibuprofen, tizanidine, NSAIDs, or any contents of this medicine. Do not take Brufen MR Capsule if you have bleeding or ulcers in the stomach or intestine, severe liver, kidney, or heart problems, severe dehydration (due to vomiting or diarrhoea), active bleeding (including in the brain), and conditions that cause the abnormal formation of red blood cells. It is not recommended for use in children, adolescents, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. It should be used with caution in elderly people as dose adjustments are necessary. Alcohol consumption may increase the risk of side-effects. Brufen MR Capsule may cause drowsiness and dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are fully alert.

Brufen MR Capsule is used to treat acute pain associated with muscle spasms that usually occur due to muscle strains, sprains or injuries in the lower back. It contains ibuprofen and tizanidine. Ibuprofen can reduce pain, swelling and inflammation in the muscles, whereas tizanidine can reduce muscle spasms and pain.  It provides fast relief from pain, within a few hours after taking this medicine. It reduces muscle stiffness and enables the easy movement of the muscle. It is well tolerated when taken at recommended doses. For the best results, rest and physical therapy are also essential along with this medicine as it will help to strengthen your back.

• Drowsiness
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Low blood pressure
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Stomach upset
• Heartburn
• Abdominal pain
• Indigestion
• Decrease or increase in heart rate

Before taking Brufen MR Capsule , inform your doctor if you have any liver, kidney, or heart problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, respiratory problems, systemic lupus erythematosus (a skin disease), porphyria (an inherited blood disorder), blood clotting problems, and ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon). Brufen MR Capsule increases the risk of ulcers, bleeding, and perforation in the stomach or intestine when taken in high doses. It may also increase the risk of heart attack or stroke when used in high doses. Brufen MR Capsule may increase the risk of kidney damage, especially in patients who have liver, kidney, or heart problems, and who are taking water pills. Brufen MR Capsule may affect the function of platelets (form clots) and prolong bleeding time, so it should be used with caution in patients with blood clotting problems. Brufen MR Capsule is an anti-inflammatory and can mask the symptoms of an infection, so consult your doctor if you feel unwell while using this medicine.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Brufen MR Capsule may interact with other NSAIDs, blood thinners (warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel, and ticlopidine), medicines used to treat abnormal heart rhythms (amiodarone, mexiletine, and propafenone), a medicine used to treat stomach ulcer (cimetidine), antibiotics (enoxacin, pefloxacin, and norfloxacin), painkiller (rofecoxib), oral contraceptives, medicines used to treat high blood pressure including water pills, beta-blockers (atenolol and propranolol), a medicine used to treat heart disease (digoxin), sleeping pill (temazepam), a medicine used to treat cancer (methotrexate), a medicine used to treat fits (phenytoin), antidepressants (lithium, paroxetine, and sertraline), a medicine used to treat high cholesterol (cholestyramine), anti-HIV drugs (zidovudine and ritonavir), a medicine used to treat gout (probenecid), muscle relaxant (baclofen), and antifungal medicines (voriconazole and fluconazole).

Drug-Food Interactions: Brufen MR Capsule may interact with alcohol and increase the risk of side-effects.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Brufen MR Capsule should not be used in patients with bleeding or ulcers in the stomach or intestine, severe liver, kidney, or heart problems, severe dehydration (due to vomiting or diarrhoea), active bleeding (including in the brain), and conditions that cause the abnormal formation of red blood cells.

• WARFARIN
• HEPARIN
• CLOPIDOGREL
• TICLOPIDINE
• AMIODARONE
• MEXILETINE
• PROPAFENONE
• CIMETIDINE
• ENOXACIN
• PEFLOXACIN
• NORFLOXACIN
• ATENOLOL
• PROPRANOLOL
• DIGOXIN
• TEMAZEPAM
• METHOTREXATE
• PHENYTOIN
• LITHIUM
• PAROXETINE
• SERTRALINE
• CHOLESTYRAMINE
• ZIDOVUDINE
• RITONAVIR
• PROBENECID
• BACLOFEN
• VORICONAZOLE
• FLUCONAZOLE
• ROFECOXIB

• Exercising regularly helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear, and sprain. Mild exercises such as jogging and walking are helpful for muscle stretching.
• Deep tissue massages with the help of muscle massagers are considered helpful.
• Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, instead, wear loose garments.
• Rest well and get optimal sleep (at least 8 hours for adults).
• Hot or cold therapy can help treat muscle spasms.
• Apply an ice-pack or hot-pack on the muscle for 15-20 minutes.
• Try to include glycine (protein) in your daily diet, which is good food for your muscle.

Low back pain: It is also called lumbago. It is a common condition that occurs due to injury, sprain, or strain to the muscles, bones, or ligaments present in the lower portion of the spine. The common causes are lack of regular exercise, improper postural lifting, bad or poor posture, and fracture. Pain in the lower back is the only symptom often seen with this condition. Analgesics (pain relievers) and physical therapy can help to relieve pain. Exercise helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear and sprain.