Pain Relief Medications: Are They Good for You?

Dangerous Combinations

Approximately 90% of people 60 years and older take at least one prescription drug daily, while the majority take two or more. This trend, reported by the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, can lead to dangerous drug combinations.

According to a 1998 report in Clinical Therapeutics, about 12% of adults 60 years and older take NSAIDs and antihypertensive medication concurrently. NSAIDs can limit the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs and cause diastolic blood pressure to rise. This effect, over a few years, may increase the risk of stroke by 67% and of coronary heart disease by 15%, according to a November 1997 Drug Safety report. Indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and piroxicam (Feldene)—three potent NSAIDs—cause the most significant risk.

Seniors who take diuretics and NSAIDs can double their risk of hospitalization for congestive heart failure, according to the Archives of Internal Medicine. NSAIDs inhibit the production of renal prostaglandins, whose job is to prevent reabsorption of sodium (salt). Thus, NSAIDs can cause salt and water retention and eliminate any benefits of diuretic therapy.

NSAIDs can reduce the effects of ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and thiazides. NSAIDs can also increase the risk of toxicity from digoxin. Consult your healthcare provider before combining these drugs.

How to Protect Yourself

• Consult your physician before taking NSAIDs (or any other drug).
• Take NSAIDs with food to help prevent GI upset.
• Keep your healthcare providers and pharmacist informed about which medications you are taking.
• Consider other drugs.
• Consider natural alternatives. Ask your doctor about glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, ginger, or SAM-e.
• Do not take NSAIDs with alcohol or beverages that contain caffeine including coffee, tea, and colas.