Paracetamol is one of the most popular painkillers in the world, but some of its side effects may not be well known. For example, now scientists at the University of Edinburgh have found that longer use of this medication may increase the risk of heart disease and strokes in people with high blood pressure.
Paracetamol is one of the most popular painkillers in the world, but it has its side effects. Image credit: Mateus Hidalgo via Wikimedia (CC-BY SA 4.5)
This information comes from the first large randomized clinical trial to see what negative effects long-term paracetamol use could have. People suffering from chronic pain are receiving long-term prescriptions for the painkiller. This medication is actually the world’s most used drug. These patients may be suffering from the consequences of the injury they’ve sustained a long time ago or disease. But now scientists say that whenever possible people should opt for the lowest effective dose of paracetamol for the shortest possible time.
There is a reason why paracetamol is so popular. First of all, generic version of this medication is actually quite cheap. It also doesn’t have that many adverse side effects. It is usually viewed as a safer alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are known to increase blood pressure and risk of heart disease. However, not scientists say that paracetamol should be administered very carefully by slowly increasing the dose to avoid going higher than absolutely necessary to control the pain.
In this new trial 110 participants with high blood pressure were prescribed one gram of paracetamol or placebo four times a day. This dose of the painkiller is in line with what is routinely prescribed for patients with chronic pain. Scientists noted that people in the paracetamol group saw a significant increase in their blood pressure and this effect was similar to the one recorded in clinical trials of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Calculations showed that paracetamol may increase the risk of heart disease or stroke by around 20 %.
Professor James Dear, one of the authors of the study, said: “This study clearly shows that paracetamol – the world’s most used drug – increases blood pressure, one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. Doctors and patients together should consider the risks versus the benefits of long-term paracetamol prescription, especially in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.”
Should you immediately stop using this medication then? Well, if you are using it all the time, you should consider the consequences and talk to your doctor. However, scientists say that short-term use, such as when dealing with a headache or a fever, is fine. In fact, it is worthwhile to reconsider all your long-term drugs to see if their benefits are not too small for the risks they carry. Don’t assume that a drug is safe just because it is very popular.
Source: University of Edinburgh