NHS GP Dr. Mark Porter has issued a warning against the regular use of common painkillers like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin to manage conditions such as arthritis, citing potentially life-threatening side effects for some patients.
These medications, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are widely used to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. Ibuprofen and naproxen are staples for injuries like sprains, while aspirin also functions as a blood thinner. They are frequently turned to for relieving the joint pain and stiffness of arthritis.
However, Dr. Porter emphasizes that this reliance can be dangerous. These drugs can cause stomach ulceration and serious bleeding, particularly in those who use them regularly or have arthritis. He highlighted an audit from the University of Oxford, which found that stomach bleeding leads to at least 60,000 hospital admissions annually in the UK, with a fatality rate of roughly 10%.
Supporting this, research in the journal *Gut* revealed that nearly half of patients hospitalized with stomach bleeds were taking medication that could aggravate the issue. Specifically, one in 14 was on an NSAID like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin.
"While many understand the bleeding risks of blood-thinning medications, too few people taking NSAIDs realise quite how dangerous they can be,” Dr. Porter stated. He noted that NSAIDs are responsible for about a third of all NHS hospital admissions caused by adverse drug reactions.
The risks extend beyond the stomach. "It is not just bleeding from the gut—NSAIDs can trigger heart attacks, strokes, and kidney damage,” he warned.
The problem stems from how NSAIDs work: by inhibiting prostaglandins, they weaken the stomach's natural defence against its own acids, which can lead to irritation, ulcers, and severe bleeding. Dr. Porter added that even people with occasional indigestion or heartburn can find their symptoms worsened by these pills.
He advised that the benefits of any medication must be carefully weighed against its risks, especially for high-risk groups. These include:
* Anyone on blood-thinners like aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, or apixaban.
* Individuals with a history of indigestion, heartburn, or stomach ulcers.
* People with heart failure or chronic kidney disease.
* Anyone over 65 who is not also taking a protective medication like omeprazole.
Dr. Porter's key message is for patients to be fully aware of these significant risks and to consult with their doctor to ensure their pain management plan is both effective and safe.
