After a heart attack, this common therapy is actually quite dangerous

“Over-the-counter” doesn’t mean “safe.”

Unfortunately, once something ends up off the Rx-only list, it tends to get eaten like candy.

But new warnings about NSAIDs make it clear: this stuff can be very dangerous.

A 2011 study was massive. It included more than 83,000 heart attack patients and linked NSAID use to a sharp increase in death risk. And this risk developed within just one week of beginning NSAIDs.

Yup…just 7 days.

And now a new study is just as disturbing.

This one looked at 100,000 heart attack patients. Those who used NSAIDs were much more likely to have another heart attack within five years.

And the death toll is shocking.

About 12% of patients who didn’t use NSAIDs died within five years. Among NSAIDs users, 20% died. Now that difference may not seem so dramatic at first glance. But it’s a 67% increase in the risk of death.

When people think of NSAIDs, they usually think of ibuprofen or COX-2 inhibitors. But remember, aspirin is also an NSAID.

Unfortunately, this “therapy” is common among heart attack survivors.

Remember that even if you can grab it without talking to a pharmacist, these are powerful medications that should be taken only when (really) needed — and are not safe for preventive use.

Sources:
“After heart attacks, pain drugs’ risks seem to last” Amy Norton, Reuters Health, 9/21/12, reuters.com