Low folate status contributes to elevated homocysteine, a metabolite that has been associated with endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and a higher risk of stroke and coronary heart disease. Large observational studies consistently show that individuals with higher homocysteine levels have greater rates of cardiovascular events, and folate intake is one of the key nutritional determinants of homocysteine. Clinically, folic acid supplementation (often combined with vitamins B6 and B12) can lower homocysteine and appears to modestly reduce stroke risk in some populations, making the identification and correction of folate deficiency an important part of broader cardiovascular risk reduction. This medication is commonly used for Pain Management.
Yanping Li, et al. Folic Acid Supplementation and the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of the American Heart Association. Volume 5, Number 8. August 15 2016.Yi X, Zhou Y, Jiang D, Li X, Guo Y, Jiang X. Efficacy of folic acid supplementation on endothelial function and plasma homocysteine concentration in coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Exp Ther Med. 2014 May;7(5):1100-1110. Kaye AD, Jeha GM, Pham AD, Fuller MC, Lerner ZI, Sibley GT, Cornett EM, Urits I, Viswanath O, Kevil CG. Folic Acid Supplementation in Patients with Elevated Homocysteine Levels. Adv Ther. 2020 Oct;37(10):4149-4164. Lonn E, Yusuf S, Arnold MJ, Sheridan P, Pogue J, Micks M, McQueen MJ, Probstfield J, Fodor G, Held C, Genest J Jr; Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) 2 Investigators. Homocysteine lowering with folic acid and B vitamins in vascular disease. N Engl J Med. 2006 Apr 13;354(15):1567-77. Wald DS, Bishop L, Wald NJ, et al. Randomized Trial of Folic Acid Supplementation and Serum Homocysteine Levels. Arch Intern Med. 2001;161(5):695–700.
Some side effects may be linked to nutrient depletion caused by this medication.
Regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen may decrease your folic acid (folate) levels. This is because NSAIDs can interfere with how your body processes folate. If you take OTC pain relievers regularly, consider folate supplementation to avoid potential deficiencies.
Recent suggests that damage caused by free radicals in tissues plays a role in stomach ulcers (gastric mucosal lesions) caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen. Based on this, it was investigated whether the amino acid taurine could protect the stomach lining from ibuprofen-induced damage. The study also examined the effects of taurine on the stomach's natural antioxidant defenses, including enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), as well as a molecule called glutathione (GSH). It found that giving taurine orally for three days in a row protected the rats' stomach linings from the ulcers caused by ibuprofen. Additionally, taurine significantly reduced a marker of free radical damage (lipid peroxidation) in the ibuprofen-treated rats.