Originally published November 3 2005
New info suggests ibuprofen could be linked to internal bleeding
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
An analysis published by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) shows that people who regularly take high doses of ibuprofen are three times more likely to suffer gastrointestinal bleeding.
"Of all the NSAIDs available over-the-counter, ibuprofen was thought to have the least harmful effects on the GI tract.
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.
Prior to starting the regimen, patients were evaluated for a one-week control period to demonstrate that they were not bleeding.
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.
The authors of this study are hopeful that these findings will bring attention to the reality of the amount of painkillers potentially being used by patients at home and the fact that ibuprofen is often combined with other painkillers--potentially causing a greater amount of bleeding from the GI tract.
Ibuprofen is considered to have one of the most favorable safety profiles of all of the traditional non-selective NSAIDs, touted as the painkiller with the fewest side effects and lowest incidence of ulcers or GI bleeding.
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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