Over-the-counter pain relievers and your heart

Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen are and have been the go-to “benign” pain medication for doctors and patients alike. Why? They aren’t addictive, and it’s not easy to overdose. Serious side effects like gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding seemed to be limited to high doses taken for longer periods or time, or to people with significant medical problems. Even before the era of the opioid epidemic, it was raining NSAIDs, across the country. In 2004, the manufacturer of the NSAID Vioxx pulled it from the market because the drug was associated with serious cardiovascular problems like heart attacks and strokes. Soon thereafter, a related medication (Bextra) was also discontinued due to cardiovascular risks and potentially fatal skin reactions. Not all NSAIDs were caught up in that furor. Some prescription NSAIDs (including celecoxib (Celebrex) and some over-the-counter ones (ibuprofen, naproxen) were thought to be relatively safe. But multiple studies suggest a clear link between all NSAIDs and heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. In 2015, the FDA strengthened the recommended warning on all NSAIDs: NSAIDs can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in patients with or without heart disease or risk factors for heart disease. A large number of studies support this finding, with varying estimates of how much the risk is increased, depending on the drugs and the doses studied. The latest on NSAIDs and risk of cardiovas...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Back Pain Drugs and Supplements Headache Health Heart Health Injuries Pain Management Source Type: blogs