Painkiller prescribed to MILLIONS increases the risk of a stroke

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Common painkiller prescribed to MILLIONS in the UK increases a person’s risk of having a stroke

Common painkiller prescribed to MILLIONS in the UK for gout and arthritis ‘increases a person’s risk of having a stroke or heart attack by 50%’

  • Taking the drug diclofenac also raises the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Diclofenac was banned over-the-counter in the UK due to heart concerns
  • It can still be bought from pharmacies in its gel form, such as Voltaren 
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A common painkiller that is prescribed to millions in the UK may increase a person’s risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke by 50 per cent, research suggests.

A study of more than 6.3 million adults found that diclofenac, which is prescribed under the brand names Motifene and Diclomax among others, also puts patients at a higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding compared to other painkillers.

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is approved for the relief of gout, severe allergic conjunctivitis, pain post surgery and arthritis in the UK.

Heart concerns caused British regulators to ban tablet forms of the drug from being sold over-the-counter in 2015. It can still be bought from pharmacies in its gel form, such as Voltaren, to relieve pain and inflammation. 

On the back of the study’s findings, published in the British Medical Journal, the Danish researchers are calling from the drug’s UK ban to be expanded worldwide. 


The common painkiller diclofenac, which is prescribed to millions in the UK, may increase a person’s risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke by 50 per cent (stock)

Researchers, from Aarhus University Hospital, said: ‘It is time to acknowledge the potential health risk of diclofenac and reduce its use.

‘Dicofenac should not be available over the counter and when prescribed should be accompanied by an appropriate front package warning about its potential risks.’ 

The scientists analysed national registry data for millions of Danish adults.

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All of the study’s participants had been taking prescription medications for at least a year before the trial began in January 1996.

The average age of the participants taking NSAIDs ranged from 46 to 49, while the patients starting paracetamol, another painkiller, were around 56.

The researchers divided the participants into groups depending on their risk of suffering a heart-related event, which was ranked low, moderate or high.


Results show diclofenac is overwhelmingly associated with an increased risk of major heart problems, such as an irregular heart beat, ischemic stroke, heart failure or a heart attack within 30 days of starting the treatment, compared with other painkillers (stock)

WHAT IS DICLOFENAC?

Diclofenac is a painkiller that is used to treat aches and pain in the joints, muscles and bones.

In the UK, the drug can only be issued in its tablet form on prescription and is approved for:

  • Gout and other forms of arthritis
  • Post-surgery pain
  • Severe allergic conjunctivitis 

Brands of the tablet form of the drug include Motifene and Diclomax.

Diclofenac was made prescription only in the UK in 2015 after studies suggested it increases a person’s risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke even if taken at a low dose for a short time.

The drug can still be bought in a gel form over-the-counter, with brands including Voltaren.

Injection or eye drop forms of the drug are available but are usually only given in hospital.  

In the US, diclofenac is available on prescription.

Brands include Solaraze, Cambia and Zipsor.

Results show diclofenac is overwhelmingly associated with an increased risk of major heart problems, such as an irregular heart beat, ischemic stroke, heart failure or a heart attack within 30 days of starting the treatment, compared with taking ibuprofen, naproxen or paracetamol.

With each year a patient stays on diclofenac, this risk increases.

Participants who started the study with a low risk and then took diclofenac had on average one more heart attack or stroke compared to those who took ibufrofen. The same results occurred when diclofenac was the same compared against naproxen.

In comparison to those taking paracetamol, diclofenac users have three more heart attacks or strokes.

Those who take no drugs at all fare best, with four fewer heart attacks or strokes, on average, compared to those on diclofenac.

This increased risk affects men and women of all ages, including those with an initially low risk of a heart attack or stroke. 

Although some patients may need NSAIDs to improve their quality of life, ‘despite potential side effects,’ diclofenac may not be the best option, according to the researchers, who add the drug’s risks need assessing immediately.  

In 2013, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency announced diclofenac tablets have a small but significant effect on a user’s risk of suffering a heart-related event.

Although the drug’s product information was updated to reflect this risk, it was not until 2015 that a review by the Commission on Human Medicines concluded that these complications cannot be ruled out even if diclofenac is taken for a short time at a low dose. 

In the interest of patient safety, diclofenac was made prescription only in the UK on the back of this review.

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