Some of the most popular pain medications, including over-the-counter products, greatly increase risk of heart-related death in healthy people, according to a new Danish study.
The study investigated nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen (used in Advil and Motrin), Diclofenac (Voltaren & Cataflam), Rofecoxib (Vioxx), diclofenac, rofecoxib, and Naproxen (used in Aleve). The study is soon to be published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, a journal of the American Heart Association.
Ibuprofen, which is the main ingredient in Advil and Motrin, was associated with a 29 percent greater risk of fatal or nonfatal stroke.
Diclofenac, marketed under various brand names including Voltaren and Cataflam, was linked to a 91 percent heightened risk of cardiovascular death. In the United States it is available by prescription; other countries sell it over the counter.
Rofecoxib, which was once sold in the United States as the controversy-mired Vioxx, was associated with a 66 percent greater risk of cardiovascular death in this study. Merck & Co. recalled Vioxx in 2004 because of cardiovascular safety concerns, and has not reintroduced it.
Researchers found a two-fold higher risk of heart attack among people taking the highest-level doses of diclofenac and a three-fold risk with the highest does of rofecoxib.
However, Aleve’s active ingredient, Naproxen, was not associated with heart problem risks in this study. Researchers said they could not conclude anything about the risks of celecoxib, sold as Celebrex in the United States.