In the UK many of us rely on over-the-counter painkillers to help us with a number of common aches, pains and illnesses. Among the most popular drugs you can buy from pharmacies include paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin.
While these may work to get rid of whatever ailment we have, as with any medication they come with the risk of side effects. And the NHS has warned that certain people might need to avoid taking ibuprofen due to the increased risk of heart failure or stroke.
The health body said you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking ibuprofen in any form if you “have heart disease or mild to moderate heart failure, or have ever had a stroke”.
This is also the case if you have high blood pressure as the drug could be considered unsafe for you.
Experts at Harvard Medical School explained why ibuprofen can be risky for those with pre-existing heart issues.
The medication is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which “pose a risk to the cardiovascular system for two main reasons”.
Quoting Harvard professor Doctor Elliott Antman, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and lead author of guidelines on NSAID use published by the American Heart Association (AHA), the Harvard Health Publishing website said: “First, they change levels of substances in the blood that make clots more likely. A blood clot can block a narrowed artery in the heart, triggering a heart attack.
“Second, NSAIDs change blood flow in the kidneys, causing the body to retain more salt and water, explains Dr Antman.
“That causes blood pressure to rise, which also boosts the risk of a stroke. High blood pressure also makes people more prone to atrial fibrillation—a rapid, quivering motion of the heart’s upper chambers.
“In fact, a recent study found a higher risk of atrial fibrillation in people who had taken NSAIDs during the past 15 to 30 days compared with people who had never taken NSAIDs.”
Instead, Dr Antman advised taking aspirin for pain as this is better for the heart.
The NHS also warns that you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking ibuprofen if you:
- Have ever had bleeding in your stomach or a hole (perforation) in your stomach caused by an NSAID
- Have had a hole (perforation) in your stomach, bleeding in your stomach or a stomach ulcer more than once
- Have a health problem that means you have an increased chance of bleeding
- Have severe kidney failure or severe liver failure
- Are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Have kidney or liver problems
- Have asthma, hay fever or allergies
- Have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Have chickenpox – taking ibuprofen can increase the chance of certain infections and skin reactions.
The health body adds: “If you’re over 65, ibuprofen can make you more likely to get stomach ulcers. Your doctor will prescribe you a medicine to protect your stomach if you’re taking ibuprofen for a long-term condition.”