Stroke risk increased by NSAIDs
June 11, 2008 on 6:03 pm | In Prescribing Extra - Drugs |
Print
|
The Archives on Internal Medicine has published the results of a prospective observational study that examined the association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and risk of stroke.
The study collected data on 7,636 participants who had never had a stroke, the average age was 70 years old and over half were female. 807 people developed a stroke (460 ischaemic, 74 haemorrhagic, and 273 unspecified).
The hazard ratio for users of non-selective NSAIDs was 1.72 (95% CI 1.22 - 2.44) and for users of COX-II selective NSAIDs it was 2.75 (95% CI 1.28 - 5.95). The authors conclude that there is a ,”greater risk of stroke with current use of non-selective and COX-2–selective NSAIDs“.
Advice issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in 2006 warned that NSAIDs carry a thrombotic risk that had the potential to increase heart attacks and strokes. This study is further confirmation that there is an increased risk of stroke.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of all of the risks associated with NSAIDs use. Assessment of overall cardiovascular risk, including strokes, should be undertaken before starting treatment and during medication reviews.
Bookmark in del.icio.us