FDA Releases New Warning on NSAID Pain Relievers

The FDA has released updated information outlining the possible risks associated with the use of NSAIDs. Learn more about the new guidelines here.

Miami, FL, United States – July 16, 2015 /PressCable/ —

The FDA is strengthening warning labels after reviewing new safety information on prescription and over-the-counter versions of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, like Advil, Aleve and Motrin. They determined that the risks of heart attack and stroke are greater than originally believed — and can occur within the first few weeks of using the drugs — even for people who do not have a history of heart disease.

The FDA strengthened the warning and “they are not ruling out risk on a short-term basis”, says Bill McCarberg, MD, who has published extensively on NSAIDs. He adds that the new warning “lets even occasional users know they are taking a risk.”

The risks are greater the higher the dose, says the FDA, adding that while some NSAIDs are possibly less risky, the information it has now is not conclusive enough to rate them by individual risk levels.

“It has to do with how medicines interact with the platelets,” McCarberg says. NSAIDs increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes by altering the way blood cells that help the blood clot and prevent bleeding function.

Mark Creager, MD, president of the American Heart Association, says, “I would say all are associated with risk,” and adds, “But it is dose related. The more you use, the greater the risk. None of them are really safe. The adverse events can happen within weeks.”

Creager explains further, “We overuse these drugs today, that’s the problem,” he says. “I think the message here is, ‘Let’s be prudent in who is using [NSAIDs] and for what.” Also, “It depends on why the drug is being use, people who are taking NSAIDs for a headache can turn to other medicines, such as migraine meds”. He agrees that patients taking NSAIDs for rheumatoid arthiritis can go on other drugs too, but those drugs also have risks. The FDA says that all medicines have potential side effects.

A representative for NextGen Nutritionals agrees with finding safer solutions to treat pain, and reiterates Creager’s statement, “I think people need to realize there is risk in using these drugs, and along with their physician they need to assess the risk and benefit”. He highlights the purpose for pain relief, adding that when patients are in pain “they become less social and have more sleep disturbances”, making the point that quality of life has to be considered.

Experts at NextGen Nutritions empathize with those living with chronic health conditions, or arthritis, and know that dealing with the constant pain and discomfort can take its toll. Their mission is to educate others about safe, 100% natural, research-based alternatives. Interested parties are urged to review the full report at http://www.nextgennutritionals.com/fda-warning.

For more information about us, please visit http://www.nextgennutritionals.com

Contact Info:
Name: Mary Martin
Organization: NextGen Nutritionals
Phone: 1-800-777-4914

Release ID: 86837