FDA Increases Safety Warnings: Painkillers Can Cause Heart Attack, Stroke

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing warning against the use of painkillers due to the possibility of these medicines to cause heart attacks or strokes, according to Today. Although an existing warning regarding these are already enforced, the agency points out the necessity for companies to include in the Drug Facts labels of prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) the effects of these meds.

According to FDA, these painkillers can actually increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes due to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) present. Consequently, the amplified effects will result in higher risk of death. In a statement released to NBC News, the FDA explained the potential consequences brought about by the use of painkillers. "They used to say they might cause risk of heart attack or stroke. Now we are saying they do cause increased risk of heart attack and stroke," said Eric Pahon, the organization's spokesperson.

In an official press release by the FDA, the OTC drugs are described as those taken by consumers to attain temporary relief of pain and fever. Meanwhile, the prescription drugs belong to the cluster that treat different types of arthritis and several other painful conditions. Due to the danger posed by the NSAIDS, the FDA strongly advises the patients to refrain, or completely avoid the practice of taking drugs that have the same active ingredient. It should be noted, however, that aspirin is excluded from the drugs FDA warns against.

"Prescription NSAIDs are an important treatment for the symptoms of many debilitating conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis‎, gout and other rheumatological and painful conditions," wrote FDA in the press release. The agency added, "OTC NSAIDs are used to temporarily reduce fever and to treat minor aches and pains such as headaches, toothaches, backaches, muscular aches, tendonitis, strains, sprains and menstrual cramps."

According to NBC, these drugs include ibuprofen which are marketed under various brand names such as Motrin and Advil. Aleve, which is identified as naproxen, is part of the list as well. Arthritis drugs, otherwise known as the prescribed COX-2 inhibitors, which include Celebrex, are also included.

However, the FDA points out that the increased level of warning does indicate that the patients completely stop taking the aforementioned drugs. Dr. Karen Mahoney, one of the experts from FDA, advised consumers to simply "take the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time possible." As for the patients with high blood pressure or heart disease, the FDA said that they should seek the advice of their health care professional prior to taking any of the aforementioned meds.