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These analgesics significantly increase the risk of cardiac death
Many people in Germany take ibuprofen or other so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in severe pain. Researchers found that taking ibuprofen increases the likelihood of cardiac arrest by 31 percent.
The researchers at Copenhagen University Hosptial Gentofte found that ibuprofen greatly increases the risk of cardiac arrest. Other medicines from the same family of painkillers were in similar danger. The physicians published the results of their study in the medical journal "Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy".
Certain analgesics increase the risk of cardiac arrest significantly. The drugs include ibuprofen. (Image: Sherry Young / fotolia.com) Strict controls should be introduced
Certain analgesics increase the risk of suffering cardiac arrest. Many of these drugs can be purchased without a prescription. There is therefore no advice or restrictions on the purchase of the buyer. It is therefore urgent to introduce stricter controls on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, says author Professor Gunnar Gislason of Copenhagen University Hosptial Gentofte.
Diclofenac increases the risk of cardiac arrest by 50 percent
Intake of ibuprofen may increase the risk of cardiac arrest by 31 percent. Another drug with similar effects is diclofenac, which increased the risk by as much as 50 percent. Until 2015, this drug could still be purchased freely in the United Kingdom. Nowadays it is only available by prescription, explain the Danish scientists.
Diclofenac and ibuprofen are by no means harmless
The results of the study clearly show that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are by no means harmless. Diclofenac and ibuprofen are both commonly used analgesics, which are associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiac arrest, the researchers say. Presumably, such drugs in patients with cardiovascular disease or many cardiovascular risk factors should not be used, so the scientists estimate.
Affected medicines should only be sold in pharmacies
I do not believe that such drugs should be freely available unless there is professional advice for their use, explains Professor Gislason. This form of painkillers should only be sold in pharmacies, in limited quantities and in low doses, the expert continues. If such drugs are freely available everywhere, it will create a false impression on the public. Many people think that the use of such painkillers is safe, the physician adds. "Our study shows the evidence for the adverse cardiovascular effects of so-called NSAIDs. Such drugs should only be taken after consultation with healthcare professionals, says Prof. Gislason.
What is the main cause of cardiac arrest??
The most common cause of cardiac arrest is a life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation. Without immediate treatment, death will occur within a few minutes, explain the Danish experts.
Researchers are studying the data for ten years
For their study, the scientists analyzed the data of all patients in Denmark who had cardiac arrest between 2001 and 2010. All patients were then screened for the use of NSAIDs during the month before cardiac arrest. In the ten-year period of the study, 28,947 patients had a cardiac arrest. Of these, 3,376 were treated with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug within one month of cardiac arrest, the researchers say.
No evidence of increased risk from naproxen, celecoxib and rofecoxib
There were three so-called NSAIDs, which did not lead to a statistically significant increase in the risk of cardiac arrest. These included naproxen, celecoxib and rofecoxib. However, the results could also be due to a small sample size, explain the authors.
Effects of painkillers on the cardiovascular system
The drugs exert numerous effects on the cardiovascular system, such as influencing platelet aggregation and the formation of blood clots. These effects could help explain the results, the researchers said. Such drugs can also narrow arteries and increase blood pressure, the researchers add.
People should not take more than 1,200 mg ibuprofen daily
Diclofenac is particularly risky and should therefore be avoided by patients with cardiovascular disease and the general population. There are safe medications that have similar analgesic effects, the experts emphasize. So there is no reason to use Diclofenac. In addition, people should never consume more than 1,200 mg of ibuprofen in one day, explains Professor Gislason. (As)