Even Long-Term Use of OTC Painkillers Can be Deadl

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http://www.mercola.com/2005/may/4/painkillers.htm

 

Even Long-Term Use of OTC Painkillers Can be Deadl

 

The negative evidence continues to mount against taking painkiller

drugs. In a study that raised questions about long-term use of

over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers such as Advil, Motrin and Aleve,

researchers came across an unexpected result: Although these drugs did

cut the development of oral cancer by half, those positive results

were superceded by an increased risk of dying from heart disease.

 

These findings only add fuel to the fire that heart risks extend

beyond prescription medications like Bextra, Vioxx and Celebrex to the

broader family of painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory

drugs (NSAIDs) -- save acetaminophen or Tylenol, this includes brands

of ibuprofen and nearly all other OTC pain pills.

 

Smokin' Discovery

 

The Food and Drug Administration has recently made the decision to

warn against the long-term use of all painkiller drugs; this study

involving smokers is the first evidence to support that warning.

(Doctors wanted to find out whether NSAIDS could prevent oral cancer

because previous work suggested they helped fend off other types of

cancer.)

 

Surveying some 900 patients who were smokers and more prone to cancer

and heart problems, researchers discovered that those who took OTC

painkillers for a minimum of six months doubled their chances of dying

from:

 

* Stroke

* Heart attack

* Other heart-related problems

 

The risk, however, was highest among ibuprofen users, who were nearly

three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than

non-NSAID users.

 

Seattle Post Intelligencer April 18, 2005

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

There are a number of misconceptions floating around these days in

regard to the use and safety of over-the-counter medications (OTCs).

One of the more important ones is that OTCs are safer than their

prescription-only counterparts.

 

OTCs are actually very capable of posing the same threat to your

health that prescription medications do, and the results of this

recent study certainly speak volumes in support of this notion.

 

With millions of people buying and using drugs like Advil, Motrin and

Aleve everyday, who knows how many of the cardiovascular problems

running rampant in our country could be prevented? What's even more

concerning is that important results like these can still go

" unnoticed " by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

With all the recent failures at the FDA, this study can also serve as

a reminder that trusting their last word may be a risky proposition

indeed.

 

It's important to remember that OTC medications are rarely needed to

treat your aches and pains. being especially sure to optimize your intake of

omega-3 fats along with reducing omega-6 fats, can radically reduce your

reliance on anti-inflammatory medications.

 

Also, while your body recovers its natural state of balance, where

harmful inflammation is minimized, you can also get some symptomatic

relief from a number of different natural remedies that not only treat

inflammation, but protect your heart at the same time.

 

Related Articles:

 

Seven Common Misconceptions About Tylenol and Other OTC Drugs

 

Do You Use Aspirin or Tylenol Regularly? Beware as They Are Linked

to Kidney Failure

 

Advil and Aleve May Make Blood Pressure Rise