Health warning!!! Ibuprofen users are not safe

Delegates were told, new research has revealed that ibuprofen – one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the world – increased blood pressure more than other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The over-the-counter tablet is often the choice for millions in the UK who suffer from the agony of arthritic pain every day.

Researchers at the University Heart Centre in Zurich studied a number of pain relief drugs, which included ibuprofen, naproxen and celecoxib and found a pronounced risk of increased blood pressure in the ibuprofen users, adding to the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Investigator Frank Ruschitzka, professor of cardiology and head of the department at the centre in Switzerland, warned: “The study clearly demonstrates that NSAIDs, particularly ibuprofen, may be not as safe as previously thought.”

“Patients receiving ibuprofen had a 61 per cent higher incidence of de novo hypertension [high blood pressure] compared to those receiving celecoxib.”

Researchers had found that celecoxib produced a “slight decrease” in blood pressure while naproxen caused a “relatively small increase”.

They warned the findings would have the greatest clinical significance for the elderly, who have a high prevalence of arthritis and hypertension.

Prof Ruschitzka advised: “Patients with osteoarthritis and arthritis should continue to consult their doctor before taking NSAIDs and clinicians need to weigh the potential hazards of worsening blood pressure control when considering the use of these agents.”

He said that since decreasing blood pressure by a small amount could lower both stroke and heart mortality by 10 per cent and seven per cent respectively, the findings were particularly significant.

The findings were yesterday presented to the European Society of Cardiology conference in Barcelona.




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