Those who take high doses of painkillers, including ibuprofen, on a daily basis have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, a study by Oxford researchers found.
The drugs in question are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and diclofenac. The researchers analyzed trials that recorded serious vascular events in patients taking NSAIDs and found that:
Patients taking COX-2s, another type of drug, had a 42 percent increased risk of heart attack or stroke, compared to placebo.
Those taking high-dose ibuprofen had a 51 percent increased risk.
Those taking high-dose diclofenac had a 63 percent increased risk.
COX-2 inhibitors are sometimes used over NSAIDs because they do not carry the risks of gastric bleeding and ulcers. However, COX-2s carry added heart risks, and one such drug, Vioxx, was taken off the market because of concerns of heart attack risk.
This study raises concerns over the safety of NSAIDs as well, however researchers said the risks are small. About three in 1,000 people taking a COX-2 or an NSAID would have a heart attack each year.
Patients who take high doses of NSAIDs are typically suffering from conditions that cause severe chronic pain, such as osteoarthritis.