Pain Medication May Increase Risk of Stroke and Heart Attack

By Susan Brady
Published: Tuesday, 11 January 2011

Pain Medication May Increase Risk of Stroke and Heart Attack

Anti-inflammatory drugs are routinely prescribed for everything from the pain of headaches, to arthritis, or even an old sports injury. Traditionally, the main concern in the use of these drugs, commonly called NSAIDs, is an upset stomach or ulcer formation. But a convincing data analysis published in the recent issue of the British Medical Journal shows that they carry with them a higher risk of heart attach and stroke.

In an analysis, pulled from 31 different trials, Swiss researchers from Bern University, found that standard pain medications—both traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) as well as the new generation anti-inflammatory COX-2 inhibitors—carry a higher risk of heart attacks for individuals who take them on a regular basis.

Over 116,000 patients across the 31 trials took either naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, Celebrex, (celecoxib), Arcoxia (etoricoxib), Vioxx (rofecoxib), Prexige (lumiracoxib), or a placebo. Patients who took Vioxx or Prexige were at twice the risk of heart attack as those who took a placebo; ibuprofen at three times the risk; Arcoxia and diclofena at almost four times the risk.

"Although uncertainty remains, little evidence exists to suggest that any of the investigated drugs are safe in cardiovascular terms," said Peter Juni of Bern University's Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, who led the study.

NOTE: Vioxx was once heralded as the saving grace for arthritis. It has since been pulled from the U.S. market due to its increased risk, almost doubling the chance of strokes and heart attacks in users.

source : healthnews.co