An NHS medic has warned that millions of people taking common painkillers such as ibuprofen are at risk of life-threatening stomach ulcers. Dr Mark Porter, writing in The Times, said that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause bleeding and perforation of the stomach or duodenum, leading to hospitalisation and death.
Dr Porter explained that around 25,000 people are admitted to hospital each year in the UK due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding, often linked to NSAID use. He noted that one in ten patients with complications from peptic ulcers do not survive. The risk increases significantly when NSAIDs are combined with other medications, such as SSRI antidepressants or steroids.
To reduce the risk, Dr Porter recommended taking acid-suppressing medicines like omeprazole or lansoprazole alongside NSAIDs. He advised patients to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and to consider paracetamol as a safer alternative for pain relief. He also cautioned against combining NSAIDs with anticoagulants, as this can make bleeding more dangerous.
The warning applies to commonly used NSAIDs including aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen. Dr Porter emphasised that even over-the-counter ibuprofen can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
