Paracetamol Warning: Five Groups Urged to โSeek Medical Advice
London, UK – A major study โคhas prompted health officials to issue a warning โขabout the potential risks associated with long-term paracetamol use, advising five key groups to consult with a healthcare professional before taking the common painkiller.The research, which analyzed the โmedical records of 353,960 individuals โคprescribed paracetamol alongsideโฃ a control group of โ402,478 similar-agedโ people who hadn’t usedโ the medication, revealed a link between โprolonged use and a substantially increased risk of โฃserious health complications.
The findings, published recently, are especially relevant forโข those with pre-existing โconditions or whoโค rely on paracetamolโ for chronic pain management. The study highlighted a potential connection between regular paracetamol intake and an elevated risk of heart failure, high blood pressure, gastric ulcers, and chronic โขkidney disease. This has led researchers to call for a “careful reconsideration” of paracetamol as a first-line treatment โขfor โขpersistentโ pain, especially in vulnerable populations.
the fiveโค groups โwho should seek advice โคbeforeโข taking โขparacetamolโ are โthose with: existing heart conditions, high blood pressure, a history ofโค stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal issues, kidney problems, or those requiring long-term pain management for conditions โฃlike osteoarthritis.
lead โขauthor Professor Weiya Zhang โof โคNottingham University explained: “Whilst further research is now needed to confirm our findings, given its minimal pain-relief effect, the useโ of paracetamol as a โขfirst-line pain killer โfor long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis in older people needs to be carefully considered.”
Paracetamol is a widely used over-the-counter medication, found in numerous brands including disprol, hedex, Medinol,โข and Panadol. The NHS advises individuals to alwaysโข read the โpackaging โคfor specific instructions,as dosages and recommendations can vary between products.
For further information, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-adults/how-and-when-to-take-paracetamol-for-adults/
