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Will Advil Reduce Bathroom Runs?

Q. I have been treated for an overactive bladder by two urologists. I took several different prescription medications with no relief but many side effects.

I told my doctors that I have noticed (like the runner in your column) that if I take two Advils at bedtime, I get through the night without going to the bathroom.

The urologists had never heard of this, but they said there should be no problem with two Advils daily. Do you agree?

A. A double-blind study in Urology (Oct., 2008) determined that men with enlarged prostates had half as many nighttime bathroom trips when they took Celebrex. Advil and Celebrex are both NSAIDs. They could raise blood pressure, increase the risk of heart attack or cause stomach ulcers if taken long-term.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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