How NSAIDS and Pain Killers Are Killing You!

 

Many of us have known it for years, yet we keep telling ourselves that if painkillers were dangerous, they wouldn't allow them to be sold in the U.S. So what do we do? We keep buying them. We keep taking them. We keep giving them to our families and friends. Why? Because what we don't see immediately... doesn't scare us.

 

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and other painkillers can be effective in reducing inflammation and pain, they can also cause many serious side effects. And long-term use can result in death. Let's take a look at some of the well-known dangers.

 

For legal reasons and as a disclaimer, we must add that this article is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.

 

 

Some Samples of NSAIDs:

 

Aspirin

Celecoxib (Celebrex) 

Diclofenac (Voltaren, Zorvolex)

Etoricoxib (Arcoxia, Algix, Auxib, and Tauxib and others)

Flurbiprofen (Ansaid, Orudis) 

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

Indomethacin (Indocin® and Tivorbex®)

Mefenamic acid (Pondimin, Nuprin)

Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)

 

Below are just some of the Side Effects and Dangers of Painkillers

GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS

 

Stomach Irritation, Heartburn, and Ulcers:
NSAIDs and aspirin can irritate the stomach lining, leading to heartburn, indigestion, and an increased risk of ulcers. 

 

Gastrointestinal Bleeding:
Regular use, especially at higher doses, can increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines (which, if severe enough, can cause death)

 

Perforation:
In some cases, NSAIDs can cause a perforation (a hole) in the stomach or intestines. Again, in some cases can cause death

 

 

CARDIOVASCULAR RISKS:

 

Increased Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes:
Some NSAIDs, particularly selective COX-2 inhibitors, have been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

 

Heart Failure:
Some NSAIDs, particularly selective COX-2 inhibitors, have been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

 

High Blood Pressure:
NSAIDs can raise blood pressure, making it harder to manage and potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular events and even death 

 

 

KIDNEY PROBLEMS:

Kidney Damage:
Long-term use of NSAIDs can damage the kidneys, especially in people with pre-existing kidney problems

 

Kidney Fluid Retention:
NSAIDs can cause the body to retain fluid, leading to swelling in the ankles and feet and potentially other serious issues

 

 

OTHER POTENTIAL RISKS:

Allergic Reactions:
Many people have had severe allergic reactions to NSAIDs, including hives, rashes, and difficulty breathing, among other more serious side effects

 

Reye's Syndrome:
Children and teenagers with chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should not take aspirin, as it can increase the risk of Reye's syndrome, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition

 

Interaction With Other Medications:
NSAIDs can interact with other medications, including blood thinners, antidepressants, medications for high blood pressure, and other meds, potentially increasing the risk of side effects or reducing the effectiveness of other medications

 

While all of the dangers of painkillers are serious (or fatal), there are even more side effects not listed here.

THE WAR ON DRUGS
Should Start In
YOUR MEDICINE CABINET

The Dangers of Painkillers Might Be Worse Than What You Think

 

Prescription Drugs continue to rise rapidly in the United States, year after year. Over the years, we've started seeing medicine as the go-to solution for virtually all aches and pains. People have a much more relaxed attitude toward prescription drugs... and they are much more readily available. In addition, people have the general feeling that someone (the government, lawyers, doctors) would step in and put an end to prescription drugs if they were too dangerous. Unfortunately, most of them are ignorant of the dangers of painkillers and other prescription and non-prescription drugs. 

 

In addition, as we all know by now, medicine and drugs are not just big business; they're HUGE business. Big Pharma and the drug-producing companies are not going to stop producing drugs just because they might be killing people. In fact, they spend billions promoting them. In 2023, these companies spent over 18 billion advertising their drugs to you and your doctor. For the fun of it, sit back and count all of the commercials that you see one day. Now count how many of them were drug company-related. You will be shocked.

 

Regardless, more people and organizations are starting to share and educate the public about the danger of painkillers, NSAIDs, antidepressants, and other prescription and non-prescription drugs.

 

According to the National Library of Medicine, an official website of the United States government :

Our prescription drugs are the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer in the United States and Europe. Around half of those who die have taken their drugs correctly; the other half die because of errors, such as too high a dose or use of a drug despite contraindications. Our drug agencies are not particularly helpful, as they rely on fake fixes, which are a long list of warnings, precautions, and contraindications for each drug, although they know that no doctor can possibly master all of these. Major reasons for the many drug deaths are impotent drug regulation, a widespread crime that includes corruption of the scientific evidence about drugs and bribery of doctors, and lies in drug marketing, which is as harmful as tobacco marketing and, therefore, should be banned. We should take far fewer drugs, and patients should carefully study the package inserts of the drugs their doctors prescribe for them and independent information sources about drugs (see the NIH website and info here)

 

 

According to Harvard University

There is a growing body of evidence that NSAIDs may increase the risk of harmful cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Given the widespread use of NSAIDs, these findings have generated significant concern among patients and healthcare providers (see more from Harvard here)

 

According to RisCassi & Davis P.C.,

adverse prescription drug effects and other medical errors are the third leading cause of death in America. Adverse drug events harm 2.7 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually, with over 106,000 deaths, and that's just for hospitalized patients. Another 350,00 adverse drug events occur in U.S. nursing homes each year.

And believe it or not, by most estimates, only 1-10% of adverse events are ever reported. (see more from RisCassi & Davis P.C. here)

The Benefits & Dangers of Painkillers

Wrapup. There are times when over-the-counter and prescription NSAIDs and painkillers are very important. Sometimes, we feel such pain that we don't think we can make it without dropping a couple in our mouths. We've all been there at one point or another. Unfortunately, this article is not about those times. This is related to the dangers of painkillers and NSAIDs (over-the-counter and prescribed) that are over-used and abused. We hope that people, including doctors, pharmacists, and the general public, take this issue more seriously and keep in mind that this drug thing that is supposed to be helping us... is often killing us.