Using high doses of over the counter pain killers like ibuprofen and naproxen, also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or Nsaids, can lead to a higher risk of heart attack, or other health problems.
Continually using high doses of over the counter pain killers like ibuprofen and naproxen, also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or Nsaids, can lead to a higher risk of heart attack, or other health problems.
A new study that looked at over 350 thousand patients shows that people who take high daily doses of Nsaids are about a third more likely to experience cardiovascular problems than people who were taking a placebo.
Researchers found that naproxen, commonly sold as Aleve, was an exception and may protect users from having a heart attack. Aspirin, also an Nsaid, was not included in the study and is often taken in low doses to prevent heart disease.
Professor Colin Baigent from the University of Oxford, who led the research, said: “the judgment has to be made by the patient. Yes, there's a risk, but for a particular person it might be worth the risk to be able to go about their daily life. For many arthritis patients, Nsaids reduce joint pain and swelling effectively and help them to enjoy a reasonable quality of life.”
