Side effects of painkillers
- Side effects of painkillers are not a new thing
- The study assessed whether or not cold and flu’s have a cardiovascular risk
- Painkillers INCREASE the risk of heart attacks
Painkillers, also known as analgesics, are medications that are used to relieve pain. While they can be effective in reducing pain, they can also cause a range of side effects, depending on the specific medication and the individual taking it.
Some common side effects of painkillers include:
- Nausea and vomiting: Many painkillers can cause nausea and vomiting, especially if they are taken on an empty stomach.
- Dizziness and drowsiness: Some painkillers, such as opioids and benzodiazepines, can cause dizziness and drowsiness as a side effect.
- Constipation: Opioid painkillers, in particular, can cause constipation as a side effect.
- Headaches: Some people may experience headaches as a side effect of taking painkillers.
- Allergic reactions: Some people may have an allergic reaction to certain painkillers, which can cause symptoms such as rash, hives, and difficulty breathing.
- Addiction: Opioid painkillers, in particular, can be addictive and can lead to dependence if they are taken over an extended period of time.
It’s important to be aware of the potential side effects of any medication you are taking, and to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. If you experience any serious or unusual side effects while taking a painkiller, you should stop taking the medication and consult a healthcare professional immediately.
Side effects of painkillers.
painkillers are easy to pop in and are widely available over the counter. Although they may help ease discomfort, research suggests that these painkillers could do more harm than good.
When taken during bouts of the flu or chest infections, ibuprofen – found in most remedies – actually triples the risk of a heart attack.
New research suggests that over-the-counter painkillers could do more harm than good
Researchers analysed claims data from nearly 10,000 patients who were hospitalised for a heart attack over a seven-year period in Taiwan.
The goal was to investigate whether non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had an effect on the risk of a heart attack.
While acute respiratory infections, such as a cold or flu, were also monitored in the study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
The results showed that using oral painkillers during a respiratory infection saw a 3.4-fold heart attack risk.
While that jumped to 7.2 when patients were given the drugs via a hospital drip, according to the researchers.
Conversely, when patients had an infection but didn’t take NSAIDs their risk was 2.7 times greater than a healthy person.
When taken during bouts of the flu or chest infections, ibuprofen actually increases the risk of a heart attack, scientists claim
However, that fell to 1.5 when they took the drugs while infection-free.
‘Physicians should be aware that the use of NSAIDs during an acute respiratory infection might further increase the risk of a heart attack,’ said study author Cheng-Chung Fang, of National Taiwan University Hospital.
But more research is needed to establish why the link exists, he added.
Warnings about painkillers are not new. In 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that taking the drugs increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
They may also raise blood pressure and cause heart failure, as research found long-term use of the medication causes chemical reactions in the body that place extra strain on the heart.
Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital last December found that taking paracetamol just twice a week could be damaging their hearing permanently.
They claim the drugs cut blood supply to the inner ear and expose it to noise damage.
Just two painkillers a week for more than six years has been linked with significant hearing loss,
While research earlier this week found that the drugs have relatively no effect on curing back pain.
An Australian study discovered they only provide any form of relief to one in six patients who use them.
