An NHS doctor has issued a warning to anyone taking ibuprofen, naproxen, or normal-dose aspirin, highlighting that prolonged use can lead to serious side effects including ulceration and bleeding. Dr Mark Porter, a GP and former presenter on The One Show, said that bleeding from the stomach and upper gut results in at least 60,000 hospital admissions annually in the UK, with about one in ten patients not surviving.
Dr Porter referenced a study published in the journal Gut, which compared outcomes from 2007 and 2022 and found that many patients with bleeds were taking medications that could cause or worsen the problem. Of 5,141 patients analysed, nearly half were on drugs like low-dose aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, or apixaban, while one in 14 was taking NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin for pain or arthritis.
He emphasised that NSAIDs account for about a third of all NHS hospital admissions due to adverse drug reactions, which themselves occupy one in five hospital beds. Beyond gut bleeding, NSAIDs can trigger heart attacks, strokes, and kidney damage. Dr Porter advised that people prone to indigestion or heartburn should be especially cautious, as even occasional use can aggravate symptoms, and long-term use can cause more severe damage.
He noted that while risks are small for most, NSAID use has declined over the past 25 years due to increased awareness, but they remain widely prescribed, particularly to older people. Around one in five over-65s have taken at least one course in the past year. Doctors often prescribe antacids like omeprazole alongside NSAIDs to reduce stomach impact, but these only lower the risk of bleeding, not eliminate it.
Dr Porter advised against taking aspirin unless directed by a doctor, suggesting paracetamol as a safer alternative for occasional pain relief. He urged anyone needing regular pain relief to consult their GP. He also warned that black, tarry stools can be a sign of slow upper gut bleeding and require immediate medical attention.
