Taking High Doses of NSAIDs Increase Cardiovascular Risk and Lower Pain
Motrin, Advil and Celebrex are all NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs, which are often used for chronic pain. A new study shows that taking high doses of NSAIDs increase cardiovascular risk (heart attacks or strokes) by 30%. Projecting that to the full population indicates that 3 or 4 people out of 1,000 each year will have a stroke or heart attack, one fatal, linked to NSAID overuse. That’s considered a small number.
A bit of good news for naproxen (Aleve, etc.), it doesn’t seem to increase cardiac risk and might even lower it. However, naproxen tends to upset one’s stomach and the FDA has added the following information to all naproxen containing products: Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking aspirin for heat attack or stroke, because naproxen may decrease this benefit of aspirin.
The conclusion? NSAIDs are not a great choice for long-term pain management. You may want to discuss other pain management options with your health care provider. And use lower doses of NSAIDs, less often. From the New York Times.
–MedShadow Staff
