Consuming paracetamol can increase the risk of heart and kidney diseases, know what the study says?

Paracetamol: Paracetamol is commonly used to treat mild pain and fever. But now it is becoming a cause of concern for health experts. A recent study from the University of Nottingham has found that long-term and frequent use of this drug may increase the risk of serious heart, kidney and gastrointestinal diseases in individuals aged 65 years and above.

Research has revealed that the use of paracetamol not only increases the risk of ulcers and bleeding in the digestive system, but it can also cause diseases like chronic kidney disease, heart attack and high blood pressure.

First choice for osteoarthritis

Paracetamol is recommended as the first-line drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis. It is a long-term disease, which causes pain and swelling due to wear and tear in the joints. However, the risks associated with its long-term use cannot be ignored.

primary care for older people

Lead researcher Weiya Zhang, from the University of Nottingham, says, "Paracetamol is often recommended as the primary medication for older people due to its perceived safety. But our study suggests that it should be used with caution given its minimal pain-relieving effect."

How was the research done?

Researchers analyzed the health records of 1,80,483 patients who were given paracetamol two or more times within six months. Their results were compared with 4,02,478 patients who were not given repeated intake of paracetamol.

study results

The study found that the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding increased by 24-36%. The risk of chronic kidney disease may increase by 19%. The risk of heart attack increased by 9% and the risk of high blood pressure increased by 7%.

What does old data say?

In a study published in The Lancet journal in 2016, researchers at the University of Bern analyzed data between 1980-2015. This report included 58,451 patients and concluded that paracetamol has very limited effectiveness for pain relief in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis.

Doctor's advice necessary

Experts believe that people should be aware about paracetamol and it is important to consult a doctor before using it for a long time. There is a need to be cautious regarding its use especially in the elderly.