A Danish research team has created an overview of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), which are most commonly prescribed to treat pain, fevers, and inflammation. Their research concluded that common painkillers are far more dangerous than previously believed, especially for the heart. In small doses, people use NSAIDs as over-the-counter medications to treat minor aches, and doctors prescribe them in stronger doses for more severe conditions of muscular and bone-related illnesses, such as arthritis. Arthritis medications, especially older forms of arthritis painkillers, pose a hazard to heart patients.
RISK OF NSAIDS
Some newer types of NSAIDs have taken off the market due to the increased risk of heart damage The authors of the study recommend that doctors take more precautions before prescribing NSAIDs, such as assessing the risk of heart complications and bleeding with each patient. Currently, there are only warnings from the CDC for doctors who are prescribing highly addictive narcotic painkillers, while not addressing NSAIDs.
FDAS STANCE ON NSAIDS
As of last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that the risk of NSAIDs is far more hazardous than previously thought. As a result, the FDA has proceeded to strengthen warning labels to highlight the new warnings even more prominently, rather than pulling them from the market. The FDA also has reported patients who did not have any documented history of heart disease were also subject to an enhanced risk of heart attack and stroke from prescribed NSAIDs and over-the-counter versions.
