Reducing Side Effects Of Painkillers

September 15, 2006

Cardiff University researchers have increased the understanding of

why some painkillers increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

The most commonly prescribed medications for treating conditions such

as arthritis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which

include, for example, ibuprofen. These drugs reduce pain, fever and

inflammation but also carry a greater risk of cardiovascular side

effects in some patients. However, the factors that cause such

adverse effects were unknown.

Now a team in Cardiff University's School of Medicine, working with

colleagues at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, have discovered a

link with levels of nitric oxide in the blood.

Blood vessels use nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth

muscle to relax, dilating the artery and increasing blood flow.

Patients with cardiovascular disease and arthritis have lower blood

vessel nitric oxide levels.

Dr O'Donnell, of the School of Medicine's Department of

Medical Biochemistry and Immunology at Cardiff University said: " We

have found that reducing nitric oxide levels in some rodents makes

them more likely to suffer cardiovascular side effects from NSAIDs,

such as increased blood pressure. Although this is a small study, it

will be important now to look at whether this happens in humans. It

may mean that monitoring nitric oxide, or replacing it in certain

individuals may help decrease the risk of side effects. "

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