Stiftung Warentest painkillers a risk

Side effects of analgesics are often underestimated

08/29/2014

Anyone who has a headache or back pain quickly attacks painkillers such as acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen. Often, however, the risks of over-the-counter drugs are underestimated. Accordingly warns the Stiftung Warentest in the current issue of her „test“-Magazine before the side effects and advises caution when taking.

142 million packs were delivered in 2013
Whether paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen or diclofenac (Voltaren): Painkillers are available in almost every household and are often taken quickly and without much thought. Around 142 million - mostly over-the-counter packs - were sold by pharmacies in Germany in 2013 alone, according to Stiftung Warentest with reference to current data from the market research company IMS Health. The cheap and over-the-counter remedies work well in most cases. Nevertheless, health experts repeatedly warn against the health risks that can arise from a high dosage or long-lasting use.

Aspirin and Co. have „more side effects than many think“
But how dangerous are the common remedies for pain really? The Stiftung Warentest has also addressed this question and has been examining the latest research on this topic. The conclusion: The previously considered suitable non-prescription drugs (ASA, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol) are also still suitable to relieve pain and fever, because their benefit would outweigh even the current state of research, the risk. However, it is a prerequisite that these are carefully used by the patients, because acetaminophen and Co. are not safe: „They usually work well - but have more side effects than many think“, Therefore warns the foundation in their current „test“- Magazine (09/2014).

Severe liver damage and heart attack possible
Accordingly, according to the foundation above all a careful use of painkillers is important, because these are taken in moderate dose, there is usually no danger to health. However, if taken in excess, they could cause serious side effects, which would require several thousand Germans to be treated in hospital each year, according to estimates by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. Possible here, for example, relative „harmless“ Symptoms such as headache, fatigue and nervousness, but in rarer cases also very serious consequences such as liver damage caused by acetaminophen and stomach damage caused by acetylsalicylic acid as well as related substances such as diclofenac and ibuprofen. The latter could even increase the risk of a heart attack, according to recent studies.

Different painkillers better not combine
To take no risk, painkillers should therefore be taken on the recommendation of Stiftung Warentest without medical advice for a maximum of four days in a row and ten days a month. It is also important to read the leaflet including the dosing instructions thoroughly and to obtain further information in the pharmacy if necessary. Because even in the choice of „right“ Caution should be exercised as not every product is equally suitable for everyone. The same applies to combination means like „Double slit compact“ or „Neuralgin“, because these would often include caffeine in addition to one or two active ingredients. Since this has an invigorating effect, but there is a risk that the drug will be taken too often and too long and side effects occur. Accordingly, according to the Foundation, various painkillers should generally not be combined, because „the therapeutic effect does not improve reliably, but unwanted effects can accumulate.“

Relieve headache naturally with peppermint oil
However, in order to avoid health risks caused by medication, it can also be tried to alleviate the symptoms naturally. Here are, for example, a variety of home remedies for headache, which can be used as an alternative to aspirin and acetaminophen. A proven remedy here is, for example, "essential peppermint oil from the pharmacy, which is applied over a large area on the forehead, temples, neck and shoulders in tension headaches". Thus, the mint can act in two ways, on the one hand inhibits the transmission or processing of pain impulses and on the other hand has a muscle-relaxing effect, which is especially for headaches from the neck of central importance. (No)

Image: Sara Hegewald