Pain Killers

[Rogue]

I've always been wary of pain killer use. I know many people who pop them for any little niggle..Story from Australia.
New warning labels for common pain killers
APRIL 01, 2015 10:00PM

COMMONLY used over-the-counter painkillers like Nurofen, Voltaren and Naproxen will have new labels warning they increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

The nation’s medicines watchdog the Therapeutic Goods Administration is considering the exact wording after a major review of the health risks of the medicines.

“The labels of oral medicines containing flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, mefenamic acid or naproxen will require an advisory statement to the effect that excessive or prolonged use can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke,” the review found.

“Similarly, an advisory statement to the effect that ‘excessive or prolonged use can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke or liver damage’ will be required on the labels of oral medicines containing diclofenac,” the TGA says.

Arthritis medicine Vioxx was withdrawn from the market in 2004 after it was linked to an increase in heart attacks and in the wake of that the TGA undertook a review of all non steroidal anti-inflammatories.

The review found that while it was known that prescription only dosages of other anti-inflammatories increased risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, myocardial infarction and stroke “these risks also applied to oral diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen available over the counter”.

It also found a risk of liver damage associated with over the counter strengths of diclofenac sold under a variety of brands including Voltaren.

The review also expressed concerns about current prescribing patterns for these medications and said there was a need to raise more awareness among doctors and patients regarding the heart risks of the drugs.

The TGA has released a form of words it wants pharmaceutical companies to include on the labels of these over the counter medicines some of which are sold in supermarkets.

Medicines containing flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, mefenamic acid or naproxen would have a warning on the label that read: Do not use for more than a few days at a time unless a doctor has told you to. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Excessive or prolonged use can be harmful and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

For oral medicines containing diclofenac the warning would be:
Do not use for more than a few days at a time unless a doctor has told you to. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Excessive or prolonged use can be harmful and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke or liver damage.

The TGA says patients who have had a heart attack, heart failure, angina, stroke should avoid using these types of medicine.

Smokers, the obese and those with high cholesterol and high blood pressure are at risk of a heart attack and should consult a doctor before using the medicines.

The TGA is consulting with medicine companies over the precise wording of the warning labels and drug companies will have more than a year to include them on the packets.

The move to include new warning comes as an Australian study has found the common pain killer paracetamol does not help with back pain or arthritis of the hip and knee.

Researchers at the George Institute reviewed 13 studies on the effectiveness of paracetamol on the conditions and concluded it made no difference to back pain.

The effect of the medicine on arthritis of the hip and knee was so negligible patients would not notice the effects, it found.

Paracetamol is the first line treatment recommended for these conditions in clinical guidelines and researchers are calling for them to be changed.
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/new-heart-attack-warning-labels-for-common-pain-killers-including-nurofen-voltaren/story-fneuzlbd-1227288366954

[Rockhopper]

I prefer the natural PK's Rog. Willow bark and vinegar works well.

Tastes horrible but!

Tim.

[Lenzabi]

Just lovely, I do use Naproxen for an anti-inflammatory stuff does nice work in that regards

and the Acetaminophen 650MG meds as well.

[Stirky]

I have always been wary of medical drugs, prefer not to use them, only if I really have to.

[Lenzabi]

Tried simply ignoring pains, but they got bad enough I needed outside relief, and they frown here on Herbals

[Rockhopper]

Yeah, the old saying: "Where there's pain to cause you woe, there, the healing herbs do grow."

It is very true. Whenever you hurt yourself or have a condition that causes pain, there is something nearby that will help.

Tim.

[Lenzabi]

The US FDA prefers we buy our pain relief in plastic bottles with safety caps and seals. Touch the plants and they toss you in the clink

[Kaere]

To be fair, at least with medications in pill form the strength is controlled and consistent, you're not worried about something being too weak or too strong. Aspirin is made from the chemicals contained in willowbark I believe. I have found it quite interesting to learn that quite a lot of our drugs and medications are based on plant chemicals.

Lenz, you can take willowbark if you like... or grow anything in your yard to use for meds. Or find something different in a health food store. Even Walmart carries some homeopathic remedies (at least here they do). Get yourself a book on healing herbs and create a garden

[Rockhopper]

Yep Ka. Aspirin is Acetylsalicylic acid and was originally taken from willow bark. That's what you get when you boil willow bark in vinegar. Aspirin was synthesised by Bayer and then patented.

Some natural remedies need caution too, St. John's Wort is one.
Hemlock and Nightshade are used too but I wouldn't imbibe them.

Tim.

[Kaere]

Ummm, why do you boil the willowbark in vinegar? It's been used by native people for thousands of years and I'm pretty sure they just used water (willowbark tea). At least tell me you sweeten it with honey!

[Rockhopper]

It makes the brew stronger Ka. Both Acetyl and Salicylic acids are pain killers. The Romans used vinegar or that purpose.

I sweeten mine with pure apple juice!

Tim.

[Kaere]

Yeah well the Romans also had a thing for garum *bleh* count me out! lol...

[Lenzabi]

The Romans hammered iron teeth into one's skull as replacement teeth, so over zealous "dentist" could cause a fracture that would get infected when the iron tooth started to rust.

[Rockhopper]

Yeah well the Romans also had a thing for garum *bleh* count me out! lol...

Something fishy about that stuff Ka!!

The Egyptians made false teeth out of wood too Len, the splinters must have been a buggar!

The Brits invented Hamburgers too. Back in Roman days the bakers would cut a bun in half and slap on some meat and vege, then sell it to the Centurions when they came off duty.

Tim.

[Rogue]

Knock me down with a feather!! The Brits invented Hamburgers?!!? OMG, have I slipped into a parallel universe

[Rockhopper]

Probably not Roggie.

Gloucester was the first city/town to have street lighting too. The Roman Governor ordered oil lamps put on every street corner because those wily Welsh were coming into the city at night and making mayhem. Made them easier to see.

Tim.

[Agartha]

The Romans were amazing! They had running toilets, people used to bath all the time, kept their history recorded in detail, etc.

Garum is pure fish and it is meant to be very healthy.... I have never tried it.

I agree with the OP and others here, I also avoid taking painkillers unless it is unavoidable... and yet everyday I see patients that swallow pills like there's not tomorrow, even when it's not necessary.

In the UK you get those warnings mentioned in the OP even with paracetamol, that if symptoms persist after a few days consult your doctor. I see many in the UK addicted to Cocodamol (paracetamol with codeine).

[Lenzabi]

Well, maybe not exactly Hamburgers, but they beat old man Sandwhich to it then

[Kaere]

Garum is pure fish and it is meant to be very healthy.... I have never tried it.

It's fish all right... sauce made from rotten fish. Ew.

[Lenzabi]

Ah, well, Asian fish sauce is also made from fermented fish (rotten) yet tastes great in cooking with it. Not sure if it was ever tried as a curative or pain killer

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