THE ESSENTIAL
- A Danish study reveals that the combination of anticoagulants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, doubles the risk of internal bleeding.
- These bleedings, particularly affecting the brain, intestine and lungs, vary depending on the NSAID used, with a risk multiplied by 4.1 for naproxen. Researchers recommend avoiding this combination or limiting the dose and duration of NSAIDs.
- Non-drug alternatives or specific treatments can be considered to reduce the dangers. A medical consultation remains essential.
Does taking both an anticoagulant and a painkiller put us at risk? A Danish study, published in theEuropean Heart Journalreveals that the combination of these two types of drugs doubles the risk of internal bleeding. An alarming observation which raises the question of caution in the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or diclofenac.
A combination of high-risk medications
Anticoagulants are prescribed to treat blood clots in the legs or lungs (venous thrombosis), a problem that affects about one in 12 people. NSAIDs are widely used to relieve common pain such as headaches, menstrual pain or arthritis. However, according to this study carried out on more than 51,000 patients treated with anticoagulants between 2012 and 2022, the simultaneous use of these drugs leads to a notable increase in hemorrhages in several organs.
Researchers at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark observed that patients taking anticoagulants and NSAIDs saw their risk of intestinal bleeding increase by 2.24 times, that of cerebral hemorrhage by 3.22 times, and that of bleeding in the lungs or urinary tract of 1.36 and 1.57 respectively. As for the overall risk of anemia due to bleeding, it has almost tripled. “Our results show that for patients on anticoagulants, using NSAIDs doubles the risk of bleeding, not only in the digestive tract, but also in other organ systems”summarize the scientists in a press release.
Alternatives to avoiding NSAIDs
The study highlights that not all NSAIDs pose the same dangers. For example, ibuprofen increases the risk of bleeding by 1.79 times, while naproxen, often considered more potent, increases this risk by 4.1. Diclofenac, for its part, multiplies it by 3.3.
But what to do if the pain requires treatment? Scientists recommend avoiding NSAIDs as much as possible when taking blood thinners. If their use proves essential, he advises limiting the dose and duration to the strict minimum, and systematically discussing with a health professional to consider alternatives. Options include non-pharmacological treatments (such as physical therapies) or specific medications less likely to increase the risk of bleeding.
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