Originally published December 7 2005
Study links ibuprofen use to gastrointestinal bleeding
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology has published an analysis that suggests high doses of ibuprofen on a regular basis increases the chance of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding three fold.
People who take high doses of ibuprofen on a regular basis are three times more likely to experience gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding than those who do not take painkillers.
Results of a small, retrospective analysis published today in the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology show that significant GI bleeding can be observed as early as three days after starting an ibuprofen regimen in otherwise healthy people---giving credence to the belief that high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), no matter the safety profile, are likely to cause gastrointestinal bleeding that can be harmful to the digestive system.
Researchers from the McMaster University Health Science Centre in Ontario, Canada conducted a post-hoc analysis of two separate randomized studies that included 68 healthy volunteers who were given either four weeks of an ibuprofen regimen (800 mg, three times daily for 28 days) or a placebo---a dosage amount twice that of the recommended 1200 mg per day.
Blood loss was determined in these subjects by conducting a radioactive analysis of Chromium-51 labeled red blood cells in stool during their baseline week and throughout the study.
According to study authors and previous studies, although the ibuprofen dose was higher than the recommended over-the-counter amount, blood loss, anemia and other adverse events can be observed at any dose of ibuprofen.
Everyday more than 30 million people take over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription NSAIDs for pain relief, headaches and arthritis.
Although long-term use of NSAIDs in high doses can provide great benefit in terms of anti-inflammatory effects, pain relief and cardioprotective effects, there is an increased risk of gastrointestinal complications ranging from stomach pain to ulcers, hemorrhage and severe and potentially deadly gastrointestinal problems.
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