The next time you feel a headache or any type of pain, you should think twice before hastily throwing down some painkillers.
The National Agency For Food And Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised alarm on the link between frequent use of painkillers and a higher risk of heart attack and unexpected death.
A recent study, published in the Annals of the Rheumatic diseases found that patients with a regular intake of painkillers are more likely to die unexpectedly.
The study pays particular attention to the painkiller Paracetamol; the study states that, “Paracetamol is the most widely used over-the-counter and prescription analgesic worldwide. It is the first step on the WHO pain ladder and is currently recommended as first-line pharmacological therapy by a variety of international guidelines for a multitude of acute and chronic painful conditions.”
Although NAFDAC has warned people on the intake of Paracetamol, the study concedes that “Irrespective of its efficacy, it is generally considered to be safer than other commonly used analgesics such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opiates.”
nice one