Are your medicines working as intended? Overuse of this common drug could lead to more problems
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As we age, managing pain becomes a part of many of our daily routines.
Whether it's the aches of arthritis or the pains from past injuries, reaching for a painkiller is a quick and easy solution.
However, a recent study raised a red flag over the regular use of a common household painkiller and its potential link to several health issues.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham have issued an urgent warning about the dangers of frequently using paracetamol.
Their extensive analysis tracked the health of over half a million individuals aged 65 and lasted for over two decades.
According to the research's findings, paracetamol has a 'dose-dependent' relationship with a number of digestive, heart, and kidney problems.
The study's findings were particularly concerning for those prescribed with paracetamol twice within six months.
The said group had a significantly higher risk of developing stomach ulcers, heart failure, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease compared to their peers who did not use the medication as frequently.
The research also suggested that the more paracetamol a person consumes, the greater the chance of experiencing severe complications.
One of the examples could be a stomach ulcer bleeding or rupturing.
This is alarming news, especially considering that paracetamol is often prescribed to older individuals to help manage chronic conditions.
Around 90 per cent of people over the age of 75 regularly take paracetamol primarily to treat joint and bone pain.
Paracetamol is also often used to alleviate discomfort.
However, Professor Weiya Zhang, an epidemiologist at the University of Nottingham, urged patients to 'carefully consider' the frequency of their paracetamol intake.
Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is one of the most widely used drugs globally.
Despite its popularity, evidence indicated that it has a 'minimal pain-relief effect' for long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis.
This has led health authorities like The National Institute For Health and Care Excellence to revise their guidelines for treating osteoarthritis.
Apart from painkillers, they have now started recommending exercise programmes as the first line of treatment and advised against the routine offering of paracetamol.
While paracetamol has a milder nature compared to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, high doses could still irritate the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Additionally, excessive use of paracetamol has been linked to increased blood pressure and kidney damage.
Overdosing on the drug has also been the leading cause of acute liver failure.
The liver could get overwhelmed with excessive amounts of paracetamol, resulting in a toxic form of the drug that damages liver cells.
The damage paracetamol could cause to the liver has been likened to that caused by alcohol and hepatitis.
Health authorities advised that the maximum safe dose of paracetamol for adults is two 500 mg tablets or capsules four times per day.
People should not exceed eight tablets in 24 hours.
Liver Disease Specialist Dr Kenneth Simpson warned about 'staggered overdoses' that often happen to individuals who take slightly more paracetamol than recommended.
Overdosing on paracetamol could potentially lead to fatal consequences.
In light of these findings, it's essential to consult with a general practitioner about the safest and most effective pain management strategies.
Alternative treatments, such as physical therapy, exercise, and other pain relief methods, should be explored to minimise the risks associated with frequent paracetamol use.
Have you or someone you know experienced issues with regular paracetamol use? Share your experiences with paracetamol and your thoughts about this study in the comments below.
Whether it's the aches of arthritis or the pains from past injuries, reaching for a painkiller is a quick and easy solution.
However, a recent study raised a red flag over the regular use of a common household painkiller and its potential link to several health issues.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham have issued an urgent warning about the dangers of frequently using paracetamol.
Their extensive analysis tracked the health of over half a million individuals aged 65 and lasted for over two decades.
According to the research's findings, paracetamol has a 'dose-dependent' relationship with a number of digestive, heart, and kidney problems.
Paracetamol is an over-the-counter medicine often used for flu and fever. Image Credit: Pexels/JE Shoots
The study's findings were particularly concerning for those prescribed with paracetamol twice within six months.
The said group had a significantly higher risk of developing stomach ulcers, heart failure, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease compared to their peers who did not use the medication as frequently.
The research also suggested that the more paracetamol a person consumes, the greater the chance of experiencing severe complications.
One of the examples could be a stomach ulcer bleeding or rupturing.
This is alarming news, especially considering that paracetamol is often prescribed to older individuals to help manage chronic conditions.
Around 90 per cent of people over the age of 75 regularly take paracetamol primarily to treat joint and bone pain.
Paracetamol is also often used to alleviate discomfort.
However, Professor Weiya Zhang, an epidemiologist at the University of Nottingham, urged patients to 'carefully consider' the frequency of their paracetamol intake.
Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is one of the most widely used drugs globally.
Despite its popularity, evidence indicated that it has a 'minimal pain-relief effect' for long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis.
This has led health authorities like The National Institute For Health and Care Excellence to revise their guidelines for treating osteoarthritis.
Apart from painkillers, they have now started recommending exercise programmes as the first line of treatment and advised against the routine offering of paracetamol.
While paracetamol has a milder nature compared to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, high doses could still irritate the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Additionally, excessive use of paracetamol has been linked to increased blood pressure and kidney damage.
Overdosing on the drug has also been the leading cause of acute liver failure.
The liver could get overwhelmed with excessive amounts of paracetamol, resulting in a toxic form of the drug that damages liver cells.
The damage paracetamol could cause to the liver has been likened to that caused by alcohol and hepatitis.
Health authorities advised that the maximum safe dose of paracetamol for adults is two 500 mg tablets or capsules four times per day.
People should not exceed eight tablets in 24 hours.
Liver Disease Specialist Dr Kenneth Simpson warned about 'staggered overdoses' that often happen to individuals who take slightly more paracetamol than recommended.
Overdosing on paracetamol could potentially lead to fatal consequences.
In light of these findings, it's essential to consult with a general practitioner about the safest and most effective pain management strategies.
Alternative treatments, such as physical therapy, exercise, and other pain relief methods, should be explored to minimise the risks associated with frequent paracetamol use.
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