Painkiller Diclofenac can hurt the heart

In high doses, the analgesic diclofenac can harm the heart

07/04/2013

Painkillers containing diclofenac pose a risk of cardiovascular disease when used in high doses. This warning was issued by the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists in Berlin.

Risk of cardiovascular disease
As the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists in Berlin pointed out, painkillers with the active ingredient diclofenac in high doses can lead to health problems. Dr. Andreas Kiefer, President of the Federal Chamber of Pharmacists, said: „Diclofenac can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks in higher doses.” The board relies on information from the European Medicines Agency (PRAC).

Do not take for a long time
According to the PRAC, there is an increased risk of taking 150 milligrams (mg) a day over a longer period of time. You can also get the analgesic and antipyretic drug over the counter, but only in doses up to 75 mg per day. The pharmacy chamber advises to take diclofenac in fever no longer than three days in an amount of 25 to 75 mg. The same dose should not be taken in pain for more than four days. Kiefer praised: „I thank our Medicines Commission for having already informed the pharmacies. This keeps the pharmacists up-to-date in science and makes their patients' drug therapy safer.”

Do not stop without consulting the doctor
The benefit-risk balance of diclofenac is rated as positive. However, if high doses or a longer period of use have been prescribed, you should consult with your doctor. However, before arbitrary action is warned: „These new recommendations are no cause for panic - therefore, no patient should discontinue prescribed painkillers without consulting with the doctor.”

Some should do without
People who suffer from heart failure, angina pectoris or the so-called intermittent clitoris, should completely abstain from diclofenac. Similarly, patients with circulatory disorders in the brain or after a heart attack. And careful handling of such painkillers is recommended to people who suffer from high blood pressure, lipid metabolism disorders or diabetes or who are smokers.

Withdraw approval worldwide?
Diclofenac is one of the world's most popular painkillers and is one of the so-called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The World Health Organization (WHO) lists ibuprofen and ASA on its list of essential drugs as NSAIDs, but not diclofenac. British and Canadian physicians had in an older issue of the journal „PLOS Medicine“ even written: „There are strong reasons for withdrawing its approvals worldwide.“ (Ad)

Picture: Martin Berk