You may want to think twice before you take that Advil or Celebrex because the FDA ( U.S. Food and Drug Administration), is now reporting that,many popular painkillers, like Advil and others, do in fact increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
For years, OTC (over-the-counter) and prescription painkillers that contain NSAID’s (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), had a warning saying they “may” increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Now, the FDA is recommending manufacturers change the wording form may to “Cause” after reviewing new evidence on the matter, according to the New York Times.
The drugs included in the finding are: ibuprofen, sold under brand names like Advil or Motrin; naproxen (Aleve), and prescription arthritis drugs known as COX-2 inhibitors, like Celebrex.
Tylenol, which contains Acetaminophen, is not included and considered safe.
So, what exactly, does this mean for consumers? A lot, since many are these drugs are necessary to combat painful conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, so let’s break it down to see who is at risk and what you should do.
Who Is At Risk?
Basically, everyone.
Although those with an existing heart condition or high blood pressure have a greater risk, this warning is for anyone who uses these drugs and there is no time frame.
In a statement on who’s at risk the FDA warned that: “Today we know that the risk of heart attack and stroke may occur early in treatment, even in the first weeks.”
In other words, even using these drugs for a short amount of time can put you at risk, so it is important to consider all options before taking a dose.
What You Can Do
With that being said, the FDA recognizes that these drugs need to be used in some cases and does not want people to panic.
The purpose of this is to make the public aware and decrease the risk of developing heart problems.
Therefore, the FDA recommends that: “users take the drugs at the lowest dose for the shortest duration possible.”
They also suggest anyone with high blood pressure or other health issues should speak with their doctor before taking any of these medications.
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