Ibuprofen Warning.

[Patsy33]

My son sent me a link from Daily Telegraph tonight, warning people that Ibuprofen can cause heart failure. ( Sorry can't do the link) I won't be taking them again. Probably just stick to Paracetamol, only if desperate though. What a worry, I know a lot of people rely on them..

[Jackdaw33]

Don't tell Sqad!

[Mamyalynne]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/07/11/ibuprofen-can-trigger-heart-failure-experts-warn/

[Baldric]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/07/11/ibuprofen-can-trigger-heart-failure-experts-warn/

[Baldric]

SNAP!!!!!!

[Mamyalynne]

eeeeeeeeee

[Patsy33]

Thank you Mammy and Baldric.

[Patsy33]

I know Jackdaw, I was thinking if Sqad too! Ha ha...

[Answerprancer]

I'd ask for expert advice if I were you, not be worried by the reportings of a tabloid newspaper.

[Mamyalynne]

I may have pasted the link for you but haven't read it.

I need my painkillers, sometimes more than others - but use caution at all times and only take what my physician approves of.

[Old_Geezer]

It increases risk but by how much ?
I would expect your GP to give you advice about OTC medicines if you need it.

[woofgang]

not “cause” heart failure, trigger it in someone who is at risk....as can other things. The fluid retention side effect is known. People with serious kidney issues shouldn’t use it either.

[retrocop]

Wouldn't worry too much.
My GP and thousands of others were prescribing Statins for all they were worth. Only the cheapest Silvastatins of course. After years of trying to get an alternative prescribed due to muscle pains and failing I gave up taking them.
When I had a review recently with regard to medictions I told the GP I had stopped the statins for a few months and asked if she was going to give me an alternative. She just smiled and said after all your recent problems I think we can ignore statins they are a minor consideration.
I always thought it was just a Government/Health Dept incentive to push/promote the use of more drugs.

[Hypognosis]

If anyone bothered to read the leaflet, inside the packet, they'd see the warning about effect of *long term* consumption on the liver.

I cycle between ibuprofen, paracetamol and aspirin if I need any of them beyond day three. But the latter two are both rubbish at dealing with back pain, for me.

In any case, all three insist "if symptoms persist, consult your doctor", because each has its own hazard, from long-term consumption. By "long term" I mean more than a week.

[Hypognosis]

@retro

If statins (x 'n' years) cost the NHS less, per patient, than a one-off heart operation, then the health boards will push for statins. Prophylactic treatment rather than corrective treatment (because not everyone lives long enough to reach the surgical stage).

They're forced to be bean counters because folk rich enough to be taxed to pieces, mysteriously, almost never get sick and vote against socialist policies like £multi-thousand operations for lower tax-band people (like me, say).

[mikey4444]

I normally use plain old Aspirin !

[Cloverjo]

I'll stick with ibuprofen. I don't know why I turn away from paracetamol and aspirin, but I just do. We have some in the cupboard, but if there's no ibu in there I won't take anything.
I think paracetamol is bad for kidneys or livers, isn't it?

[mikey4444]

Jo....only in huge amounts ( I think ! )

[woofgang]

the problem with paracetamol is that the difference between a safe dose and a dangerous dose is comparatively small...and research shows it may also have its risks
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2015/03March/Pages/Is-long-term-paracetamol-use-not-as-safe-as-we-thought.aspx

[Buenchico]

The American Medical Association are simply stating that NSAIDs (such as Ibuprofen) carry a small risk of causing heart problems, which has been known for ages anyway.

Quote:
"Possible side effects of NSAIDs include . . . in rare cases, problems with your liver, kidneys, or heart and circulation, such as heart failure, heart attacks and strokes"

Source:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Anti-inflammatories-non-steroidal/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Given that all drugs (even things like aspirin) carry some level of risk of adverse reactions, I see nothing much to worry about unless someone is using Ibuprofen every day without proper medical advice.

[Eve]

I'm not allowed to take it any more due to issues with my kidney function though I had kidney function issues anyway.

Rather unfortunate as I have inflammatory conditions, but it's all a balance.

Touch wood though, the fluid in my legs and feet hasn't been quite as bad as it was so could be stopping the NSAIDS has helped that too so swings and roundabouts, and my kidneys seem happier!

I was taking it very regularly long term though.