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Older Painkillers May Increase Heart Attack Risk

June 2, 2006

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It's not just COX-2 painkillers like Vioxx that may increase cardiovascular health risks. A team of scientists now says older, over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen may also raise the risk of a heart attack.

"COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), particularly ibuprofen and diclofenac increase the risk of heart attacks," said Dr Colin Baigent, an epidemiologist at the University of Oxford in England.

Last month, another study found that ibuprofen and other common painkillers are associated with a 30 percent increased risk of first hospital admission for heart failure.

In the latest study, an Italian research team looked at previous studies into the use of COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs, analyzing data from 138 trials and 140,000 patients.

Not surprisingly, they found that COX-2 inhibitors were linked with a moderate increase in the risk of heart attacks. But more surprising was their finding that high doses of some NSAIDs carried nearly the same risks.

Still, the risk is relatively small.

According to the odds, for every 1,000 people taking an NSAID or COX-2 inhibitor, about three extra people a year would suffer a heart attack.

The authors conclude that very large randomized trials are needed to identify which anti-inflammatory drug regimens minimize serious cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems.

Merck & Co.'s Vioxx was withdrawn from the market in 2004 after clinical trials linked it with increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The company currently faces thousands of product liability lawsuits in connection with the painkiller.

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