Common painkillers Linked to Increased Antibiotic Resistance, New Research Finds
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – Widely used pain medications like paracetamol (found in drugs such as Alvedon) and ibuprofen (ipren) may be contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, according to a new study highlighted by Swedish Pharmacy. Researchers have discovered that these common painkillers can help bacteria develop ways to evade the effects of antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.
the study revealed that E.coli, a common cause of urinary and bowel infections, became more difficult to treat when patients simultaneously used pain tablets. the effect was even more pronounced when ibuprofen and paracetamol were combined – a practise particularly common in elderly care settings.
“The results raise important issues about the risks of polypharmacy in the elderly care,” stated Rietie Venter, associate professor and main author of the research, in a press release from the University of South Australia. ”Older people are often prescribed several drugs…which makes it an ideal breeding ground for gut bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics.”
Johan Bengtsson-Palme, a researcher at Chalmers University of Technology specializing in antibiotic resistance, acknowledged the complexity of the findings in an interview with Sweden’s radio. “The difficult thing is that, for example, Ibuprofen is such a common drug…Therefore, it becomes a bit complicated to say that you should not combine it with antibiotics.”
Researchers emphasize that the findings do not suggest discontinuing these medications, but rather a need for increased awareness and further examination into drug interactions, particularly during long-term treatment. They are calling for more studies to understand how common medicines can impact antibiotic effectiveness.
This research underscores that antibiotic resistance is a more multifaceted challenge than previously understood, extending beyond antibiotic use itself.
