Concerns About Pain Relievers


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Recently, consumers received a wake-up call when a popular prescription pain reliever was abruptly taken off the market. A study had shown that long -term use doubled the risk of heart attack and stroke. Questions about similar drugs followed.

In the end, two prescription medications - both of them being a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) called a COX-2 inhibitor - were shelved. And the FDA announced that all NSAIDs, including drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen, would need to carry stronger warnings about the risk of heart problems, stomach bleeding and
rare skin reactions.

Where does this leave us when we need pain relief? The FDA says that short-term use of NSAIDs at the recommended dosage doesn't appear to increase the risk of heart problems. However, people with a history of heart disease, stroke or stomach ulcers should talk to their doctors before using them.

Some experts suggest that generally the first choice for pain relief should be acetaminophen or aspirin, neither of which are NSAIDs. If these are not effective or cause stomach problems, drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen are the safest choice. Prescription COX-2 inhibitors may best be left as a last resort.

The main rule: Take the lowest effective dose of any pain reliever for the shortest amount of time possible.

Copyright © Neil Harper
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