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FDA strengthens warning that NSAIDs increase heart attack and stroke risk
Back in 2005, the FDA warned that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen increased the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Last week it took the unusual step of further strengthening this warning. This was done on the advice of an expert panel that reviewed new information about NSAIDs and their risks. Because NSAIDs are widely used, it’s important to be aware of downsides of taking an NSAID and to take steps to limit the risk. Many people take NSAIDs to relieve mild to moderate pain. These medications may be particularly effective in conditions in which pain results pri...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - July 13, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Gregory Curfman, MD Tags: Heart Health heart attack heart disease NSAIDS Stroke Source Type: news

High-dose painkiller heart risk: small but significant
Conclusion This large review adds to, and expands on, the current evidence on the risks of vascular disease and gastrointestinal complications for different NSAIDs. It largely concentrates on trials of high doses of NSAIDs that can only be prescribed by a doctor. It is unclear from this study whether there is any risk from taking lower doses available over the counter. While most experts advise that low-dose NSAIDs, taken occasionally, are safe for most people, an accompanying editorial points out that there are still “large gaps” in evidence on the risks with lower doses of NSAIDs. While the risk to individuals is sma...
Source: NHS News Feed - May 30, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medication Heart/lungs Source Type: news

Comparative evaluation of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis on recommended doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Conclusion: From the analysis conducted, it appears that the risk for cardiovascular events in arthritis patients on licensed doses of NSAIDs varies considerably and is likely to depend on the individual compound.
Source: Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease - August 4, 2014 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Fabule, J., Adebajo, A. Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Taking over the counter pain relievers safely
For aching joints or a throbbing head, millions of Americans turn to aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) every day. They are generally safe, but if not used carefully NSAIDs can have a dark side, according to the September 2013 Harvard Women's Health Watch. NSAIDs are widely used because they perform double duty. “They not only relieve pain, but they reduce inflammation too,” says Dr. Lucy Chen, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and attending physician in the anesthesia, critical care, and pain medicine department at Massachusetts General Hos...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - August 23, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Gout: Sleep apnea may raise your risk
Gout is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis and affects more than 8 million adults. Men are at a higher risk than women. And according to a new study, your risk for gout also climbs if you suffer from sleep apnea, a condition where your breathing repeatedly pauses while you sleep. What exactly is gout? Gout is triggered by the crystallization of uric acid within the joints. It happens like this: Your body produces uric acid from breaking down purines, a natural waste product of living cells. Normally, uric acid is dissolved in your blood and passes through your kidneys into your urine. However, sometimes your bo...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - November 17, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Matthew Solan Tags: Arthritis Health Sleep gout sleep apnea Source Type: news

Turmeric: Nature ’s Miracle Root for Disease
My friends Lelir and Westi in Bali don’t like to go to doctors. Nature is their pharmacy. You see, Lelir is a Balian. That means “herbal healer.” And Westi’s plantation is bursting with healing plants.  But one plant stands out above all the others. Lelir uses it to make a daily immune-boosting elixir as well as an anti-aging facial scrub. Balians use it as an antibiotic and for liver support. They boil it with milk and sugar to treat the common cold and allergies. Rural doctors make it into a paste with lime to ease sore joints. They make drinks to treat fevers and stomach pain. They mix it wi...
Source: Al Sears, MD Natural Remedies - September 20, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Al Sears Tags: Natural Cures Source Type: news

Celebrex Is No Riskier For Heart Than Other Arthritis Drugs, Study Finds
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A new study gives some reassurance to arthritis sufferers who want pain relief but are worried about side effects. It finds that Celebrex, a drug similar to ones withdrawn 12 years ago for safety reasons, is no riskier for the heart than some other prescription pain pills that are much tougher on the stomach. “We do not want patients to suffer with pain and we need to know what is safe to give them,” said Dr. Steven Nissen, the Cleveland Clinic’s heart chief, who led the study. Fear that Celebrex would be worse than alternatives proved unfounded, and “on almost every endpoint it...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - November 14, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Health – CBS Boston Tags: Health News Arthritis Celebrex Source Type: news

Celecoxib for rheumatoid arthritis.
CONCLUSIONS: Celecoxib may improve clinical symptoms, alleviate pain and contribute to little or no difference in physical function compared with placebo. Celecoxib was associated with fewer numbers of participant withdrawals. Results for incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers (≥ 3 mm) and short-term serious adverse events were uncertain; however, there were few reported events for either.Celecoxib may slightly improve clinical symptoms compared with tNSAIDs. Results for reduced pain and improved physical function were uncertain. Particpants taking celecoxib had lower incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers (≥ 3 mm) and there w...
Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews - June 9, 2017 Category: General Medicine Authors: Fidahic M, Jelicic Kadic A, Radic M, Puljak L Tags: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Source Type: research

Arthritis Tied to Heart Disease. Pain Relievers May Be to Blame.
Pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen may account for higher rates of heart disease and stroke in those with osteoarthritis.
Source: NYT Health - August 7, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Nicholas Bakalar Tags: Heart Arthritis Osteoarthritis Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Ibuprofen (Drug) Aleve (Drug) Source Type: news