High Dose Common Painkillers Raise Heart Risks

Featured Article
Main Category: Pain / Anesthetics
Also Included In: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Article Date: 02 Jun 2006 - 12:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Common painkillers, known as NSAIDs, may raise the risk of having a heart attack or vascular event, say researchers who studied drug trials totalling 140,000 participants. It seems high doses of Ibuprofen may present patients with the same risks as such drugs as Vioxx (cox-2 inhibitors).

You can read about this study in the British Medical Journal.

The researchers collected data from 138 trials. They found that selective cox-2 inhibitors can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke by up to 42%. Examples of cox-2 inhibitors are Celebrex (still on sale), Bextra (no longer on sale) and Vioxx (no longer on sale).

The researchers also found that other NSAIDs, such as Ibuprofen can also raise the risk of vascular events. 800 milligrams of ibuprofen three times a day over the long term, when compared to a placebo, was linked to a 51% raised risk of heart attack or stroke. Diclofenac, 75 milligrams twice daily raised the risk by 63%. Aleve (Naproxen) did not seem to be linked to any raised risk.

What Are NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)?

NSAIDs are pain killers. They include such drugs as ibuprofen and are commonly used by arthritis patients. Cox-2 inhibitors are also types of NSAIDs - they are newer drugs. Cox-2 inhibitors, unlike other painkillers, are safer for the patient's stomach.

How much is the raised risk?

Ibuprofen and diclofenac, in larger doses over the long-term, add an extra three cases of heart attack or stroke per thousand patients per year (approximately)

What about OTC Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen bought over the counter (OTC) does not have a high dose. The raised risk of heart attack or stroke is for high doses over the long term.

This study did not find a link for high dose over the short-term, or low dose over the long-term. It only found a link for patients on a high dose over the long-term. Ibuprofen, at 800 milligram three times a day, is three times the recommended daily dose - the study found a risk only at this dosage over the long-term.

You can only get Ibuprofen at that high dose with a doctor's prescription. It is used for treating chronic pain.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today


Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today