Daily paracetamol could raise the risk of heart attacks, stroke and early death, a major study warned on Tuesday.
It found that patients prescribed high doses of the painkiller for long periods were up to 63 per cent more likely to die unexpectedly.
The risk of having a heart attack or stroke was up to 68 per cent higher and there was an almost 50 per cent greater chance of having a stomach ulcer or bleed.
Paracetamol is considered by doctors to be safer than aspirin, which can cause stomach bleeds, and ibuprofen, which has been linked to heart attacks and strokes.
But British researchers who looked at studies involving 666,000 patients say the risks may have been underestimated and are calling for a major review to be conducted into the drug’s safety.
They think paracetamol may be causing illness by preventing the action of an enzyme in the body called COX-2.
Paracetamol pills
Scientists from the Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine looked at eight studies that contained information on patients taking paracetamol daily for up to 14 years, for conditions such as arthritis and severe back pain.
They also covered patients who took the medicine less often or hardly at all.
Philip Conaghan, who led the …Read More
Source:: Excessive Paracetamol Linked To Heart Attack Risk —Report
