Ibuprofen may raise the risk of a heart attack.

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Older Painkillers May Increase Heart Attack Riskhttp://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/06/nsaids.html June 2, 2006 Vioxx, et al• Older Painkillers May Increase Heart Attack Risk• Study Links Common Painkillers to Heart Failure• Merck Hopes New Study Will Help In Vioxx Defense• Study Finds Vioxx Dangers Occur Earlier Than Expected• Jury Awards $9 Million In Punitive Vioxx Damages• Jury Deadlocks in Houston Vioxx Trial• Data Missing from Vioxx Study• Merck Acquitted In New Jersey Vioxx Case• FDA Refuses to Approve Pfizer Cox-2 Drug• Class Action Could Cost Merck Billions• Merck Could Get Hit Even Harder In Next Vioxx Suits• Jury Finds Merck Liable in First Vioxx Trial• More about Vioxx---Other NSAIDs• Bextra• Celebrex• Dangers of Other Vioxx-Type Drugs• Vioxx Alternatives• Aleve Ingredient Seen as Health RiskIt's not just COX-2 painkillers like Vioxx that may increase cardiovascular health risks. A team of scientists now says older, over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen may also raise the risk of a heart attack."COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), particularly ibuprofen and diclofenac increase the risk of heart attacks," said Dr Colin Baigent, an epidemiologist at the University of Oxford in England.Last month, another study found that ibuprofen and other common painkillers are associated with a 30 percent increased risk of first hospital admission for heart failure.In the latest study, an Italian research team looked at previous studies into the use of COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs, analyzing data from 138 trials and 140,000 patients.Not surprisingly, they found that COX-2 inhibitors were linked with a moderate increase in the risk of heart attacks. But more surprising was their finding that high doses of some NSAIDs carried nearly the same risks.Still, the risk is relatively small.According to the odds, for every 1,000 people taking an NSAID or COX-2 inhibitor, about three extra people a year would suffer a heart attack.The authors conclude that very large randomized trials are needed to identify which anti-inflammatory drug regimens minimize serious cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems.Merck & Co.'s Vioxx was withdrawn from the market in 2004 after clinical trials linked it with increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The company currently faces thousands of product liability lawsuits in connection with the painkiller. June 6 2006 Hotels.com, Royal Ahold Report Laptop Losses Vonage Accused Of Violating Securities Laws Study Finds "Intermittent Explosive Disorder" Widespread Experts Pick Top New Car Safety, Convenience Features "The Check Has Cleared" Doesn't Mean The Check Is Good A Long, Hot Summer: Hurricanes, Bird Flu, Gas Prices Compound the Usual Hazards Indonesian Nurse May Have Bird Flu Rising Gas Prices Cutting into Spending, Survey Finds More News ... Back to the top |