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Common Painkillers Tied to Kidney Risks for Children: Study

Posted 25 Jan 2013 by Drugs.com

FRIDAY, Jan. 25 – Children taking the common painkillers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be at risk for acute kidney damage, particularly when the kids are dehydrated, a new study finds. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (commonly called NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (brand names Advil and Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and ketorolac (Toradol) are used to relieve pain and fever. "The one thing we did see that seemed to be connected to kidney damage was dehydration," said lead researcher Dr. Jason Misurac, a nephrologist at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. For the study, which was published in the Jan. 25 online edition of the Journal of Pediatrics, Misurac's team looked at the medical records of children admitted to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis from 1999 through mid-2010. Over that time, they identified more than 1,000 cases of children ... Read more

Health Tip: Should You Take NSAIDs?

Posted 9 Jan 2013 by Drugs.com

-- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are popular pain relievers, usually sold over the counter. But they may not be safe for everyone. The American Academy of Family Physicians says you should speak with your doctor before you take an NSAID if you meet any of these criteria: Having a known allergy to any pain relievers, such as aspirin. Drinking at least three alcoholic beverages per day. Having stomach ulcers or bleeding in the intestines or stomach. Having heart, kidney or liver disease. Having a condition that requires a blood-thinning medication. Read more

Common Painkillers Might Boost Odds for Second Heart Attack

Posted 11 Sep 2012 by Drugs.com

MONDAY, Sept. 10 – People who've already suffered a heart attack may face higher odds of death or subsequent heart attack if they regularly take a common form of painkiller, Danish researchers report. The painkillers are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and include over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), as well as prescription drugs such as Celebrex (celecoxib), the researchers noted. "These results support previous findings that NSAIDs have no apparent safe treatment window among patients with a [prior] heart attack," said lead researcher Dr. Anne-Marie Schjerning Olsen from the department of cardiology at the University of Copenhagen. "Long-term caution with use of NSAIDs is advised in all patients after a heart attack," she said. Olsen added that "it is important to get the message out to clinicians taking care of ... Read more

Common Painkillers May Help Prevent Skin Cancer: Study

Posted 29 May 2012 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, May 29 – Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – which include medicine cabinet staples such as aspirin, Motrin and Aleve – appears to significantly lower the risk for developing several major forms of skin cancer, a new Danish study reveals. What's more, the apparent protective impact of both prescription and nonprescription NSAIDs on skin cancer risk seems to be stronger the longer someone takes them. Over-the-counter NSAIDs are used to control pain, fever and swelling. NSAIDs also include prescription medicines called COX-2 enzyme inhibitors, such as Celebrex (celecoxib). "Our study showed that users of common painkillers, known as NSAIDs, have a lower risk of the three major types of skin cancer, [including] malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma," said study lead author, Sigrun Alba Johannesdottir, at the department of ... Read more

FDA Medwatch Alert: Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) - Drug Safety Communication: Clostridium Difficile-Associated Diarrhea (CDAD) Can be Associated With Stomach Acid Drugs

Posted 8 Feb 2012 by Drugs.com

AcipHex (rabeprazole sodium) Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) Omeprazole (omeprazole) Over-the-Counter (OTC) Prevacid (lansoprazole) and OTC Prevacid 24hr Prilosec (omeprazole) and OTC Protonix (pantoprazole sodium) Vimovo (esomeprazole magnesium and naproxen) Zegerid (omeprazole and Sodium bicarbonate) and OTC [Posted 02/08/2012] ISSUE: FDA notified the public that the use of stomach acid drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be associated with an increased risk of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD). A diagnosis of CDAD should be considered for patients taking PPIs who develop diarrhea that does not improve. The FDA is working with manufacturers to include information about the increased risk of CDAD with use of PPIs in the drug labels. FDA is also reviewing the risk of CDAD in users of histamine H2 receptor blockers. H2 rece ... Read more

Herbal Medicines for Arthritis Not Backed by Evidence

Posted 12 Jan 2012 by Drugs.com

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 11 – There is little evidence to support the widespread use of herbal medicines to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis, according to a review of these products. Osteoarthritis is a painful condition that involves damage to cartilage and other structures in and around the joints, particularly the fingers, knees and hips. It differs from rheumatoid arthritis, which is an immune-based disorder. Devil's claw, cat's claw, ginger, nettle, rosehip, turmeric, willow bark, Indian frankincense and vegetable extracts of avocado or soybean oils are all among the herbal medicines traditionally used to treat osteoarthritis. "Unfortunately, a large number of people suffer from osteoarthritis pain," said one expert, Dr. Robert Graham, an internist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "Current pharmacological management is largely focused upon reduction of pain and of ... Read more

Health Tip: Don't Take Too Many NSAIDs

Posted 23 Nov 2011 by Drugs.com

-- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been around for years and are frequently the medication of choice to relieve pain and inflammation. But taking too many of this type of drug, which includes aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, can lead to potential complications, including stomach bleeding or ulcer. The American Gastroenterological Association says reasons for potential NSAID overdose include: Taking a subsequent dose too soon after taking the initial one. Taking more of the medication at one time than is recommended. Taking a higher dose over a 24-hour period than is recommended. Taking more than one NSAID-containing medication at a time Read more

Health Tip: Alcohol Can Interact With Medications

Posted 25 Oct 2011 by Drugs.com

-- Over-the-counter medications may seem safer because they don't require a prescription. But they can still interact badly when alcohol enters the mix. The American Academy of Family Physicians mentions these popular medications that may have adverse effects if mixed with alcohol: NSAID pain relievers, which may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding if taken while consuming as few as two alcoholic drink per week. Acetaminophen, which may cause liver damage when taken with alcohol. Some OTC antihistamines can make you drowsy when taken with alcohol. Decongestants and cough medications that contain the cough suppressant dextromethorphan can increase drowsiness when taken with alcohol. Herbal supplements, such as kava kava, St. John's wort or valerian root, may increase drowsiness if taken with alcohol. Read more

Can NSAIDs Cut Colorectal Cancer Deaths in Older Women?

Posted 24 Oct 2011 by Drugs.com

SUNDAY, Oct. 23 – Older women who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – such as aspirin or ibuprofen – appear to have a lower risk of death from colorectal cancer than women who don't use these medications, a large new study suggests. Women who reported using these drugs, called NSAIDs, at the beginning of the study and three years later had a roughly 30 percent lower rate of death from colorectal cancer than women who did not take the drugs, or women who took them at only one of these two points in time, according to an American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) news release. "Our results suggest that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use is associated with lower colorectal cancer mortality among postmenopausal women who use these medications more consistently and for longer periods of time," Anna Coghill, a doctoral student in epidemiology at the University of ... Read more

Some Pain Meds Riskier for Cardiac Patients Than Others, Study Suggests

Posted 28 Sep 2011 by Drugs.com

From Canadian Press DataFile (September 27, 2011) By Helen Branswell TORONTO – A new study suggests some commonly consumed pain medications are riskier than others when used by people with cardiovascular problems. The research suggests a couple of the drugs carry the same level of risk as Vioxx, which was taken off the market in 2004 over heart health concerns. Senior author Dr. David Henry says the increased risk from this class of drugs is not significant for the average healthy individual taking the drugs occasionally. But he says the risk profile changes in people who have already had a heart attack or who are at risk of cardiovascular events because they have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease. "So we're really worried about people who might have an annual risk of maybe five per cent," said Henry, who is CEO of the Toronto-based Institute for ... Read more

NSAID Painkillers Linked to Risk of Kidney Cancer

Posted 12 Sep 2011 by Drugs.com

MONDAY, Sept. 12 – The long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil, Motrin and Aleve may slightly increase the risk for developing kidney cancer, Harvard researchers report. Millions of people use these drugs regularly for pain and they have been associated with reducing the risk of some cancers, the researchers added. "NSAIDs have been associated with a reduced risk of several types of cancer, including colorectal, breast and prostate," said lead researcher Eunyoung Cho, an assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. "Our study raises a contradicting possibility that non-aspirin NSAIDs may elevate the risk of certain types of cancer." "If our studies are confirmed, risks and benefits should be considered in deciding whether to use analgesics, especially for long duration," she added. The report was ... Read more

NSAIDs May Raise Miscarriage Risk: Study

Posted 6 Sep 2011 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, Sept. 6 – Women who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen during the first stage of their pregnancy may be upping their risk of miscarriage, new research suggests. "We're seeing a 2.4-fold increased risk in spontaneous abortion following early use of NSAIDs during pregnancy," said Anick Berard, senior author of a paper published in the Sept. 6 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Although the study was not a randomized, controlled trial – considered the gold standard of science – Berard thinks the results are due to the medication and not some other, unrelated factor. "We went through a lot of pain and misery to make sure what we're seeing is due to the drug and not a consequence of symptoms [of an underlying illness] or risk attributed to rheumatoid arthritis, for example," said Berard, who is director of the Research Unit on ... Read more

Certain Painkillers May Raise Odds of Stroke, Heart Attack: Study

Posted 14 Jul 2011 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, July 14 – Heart disease patients with high blood pressure who take a class of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are at greater risk for heart attack, stroke or even death, new research shows. NSAIDS include popular medications such as such as aspirin, Celebrex, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). The results are published in the July issue of The American Journal of Medicine. "Among coronary artery disease patients with hypertension, chronic self-reported use of NSAIDs was associated with harmful outcomes, and this practice should be avoided where possible," Dr. Anthony A. Bavry, assistant professor in the division of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville, said in a journal news release. In conducting the study, Bavry and colleagues followed 882 long-term NSAID users and almost 22,000 people who used ... Read more

Painkillers May Raise Risk of Dangerous Heart Flutter

Posted 5 Jul 2011 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, July 5 – A new study finds that painkillers widely used to treat inflammation are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder connected with a raised risk of stroke, heart failure and death. Previous research has linked non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and newer anti-inflammatory medications known as cox-2 inhibitors to an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes, but this is the first study to link the painkillers with atrial fibrillation. Danish researchers looked at 32,602 patients who had a first diagnosis of atrial fibrillation between 1999 and 2008. Each of those patients was compared with 10 age and gender-matched controls from the general population in Denmark. The results showed that use of these medications was associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. The link was strongest among new users of ... Read more

Health Tip: Painkillers May Cause Stomach Problems

Posted 16 May 2011 by Drugs.com

-- Certain painkillers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause stomach problems, especially if you need to take them consistently over long periods. Examples of these medications include ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen, including brand names such as Advil, Motrin and Aleve. The American Gastroenterological Association suggests how to reduce the risk of stomach problems if you need to take NSAIDs for a chronic problem: Talk with your doctor before beginning an NSAID regimen, especially if you've had side effects from these medications. Before taking an NSAID, take note of possible side effects mentioned on the product label. Be sure to take the medication exactly as directed. Don't take both a prescription and over-the-counter pain-relieving medication at the same time. Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements that you take. Don't drink alcohol while ... Read more

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Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, NSAID-Induced Ulcer Prophylaxis, Osteoarthritis