Do You Really Need That Pill? by Jennifer Jacobs

Author:Jennifer Jacobs
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781510715653
Publisher: Skyhorse
Published: 2018-03-18T16:00:00+00:00

While aspirin is used to prevent heart disease, non-aspirin NSAIDs have been associated with a two- to threefold increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, most likely due to their effect on blood clotting. The FDA issued a safety announcement in July 2015 advising patients taking non-aspirin NSAIDs to immediately seek medical care if they have symptoms of heart attack or stroke. The risk of heart attack is highest in the first month of taking NSAIDs and with higher doses.

Long-term use of high doses of NSAIDs can damage the kidneys, leading to high blood pressure and kidney failure. People who already have kidney problems are more at risk for this as well as those who take more than one type of OTC pain medication or who take more than six doses a day of NSAIDs for three years or more. NSAIDs can also cause severe allergic reactions, especially in people with asthma, who should avoid taking them. Disturbing new evidence suggests that combining NSAIDs with antidepressants increases the risk of bleeding inside the brain.

Because of the risks of long-term side effects, the FDA recommends taking the lowest effective dose possible of NSAIDs for the shortest amount of time. Maximum recommended daily doses of over-the-counter NSAIDs for adults are: aspirin, 4,000 milligrams; ibuprofen, 1,200 milligrams; and naproxen, 660 milligrams. Lower doses are safer, however, especially for smaller people.

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