The FDA Will Require Prescription NSAID Manufacturers to put Stronger Warning Labels on Medications to Reflect Cardiovascular Risks

Using common, over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Motrin, Aleve and Advil for as little as just a few weeks could increase users’ risk of heart attack and stroke.

Recent clinical trials and studies show people who take NSAIDs for relatively short periods of time are in danger of serious cardiovascular problems. The studies found that people who take the pills in larger doses than recommended and as a form of long-term medication have the highest risk, according to 1011now.com.

“Before we used to think of it as affecting people who really might be at higher cardiovascular risk,” CBS News medical contributor and Lenox Hill Hospital cardiologist Dr. Tara Narula told “CBS This Morning.”

A Nebraska Heart Institute and Heart Hospital cardiologist told 1011now.com that patients should never mix two different kinds of NSAID drugs.

“A lot of my patients ask ‘Which one is more harmless, which one is better for me,’” Denes Korpas, MD said. “There are some studies that maybe suggest Aleve is better, but the recent studies do not make a difference between those and really they are on the same level. There’s no such thing that this one maybe is better.”

CBS News reports that despite label warnings that NSAIDs should not be used longer than 10 days for pain or three days for fever, people with chronic pain or inflammation often take more than one type of the drugs daily.

The FDA is really saying there is no safe period, there is no safe duration of use. “And the problem is that people don’t really use it as the label states,” said Narula. “I have many patients who chronically take Advil or Aleve. People don’t think of these as being dangerous.”

The FDA said it will require prescription manufacturers to put stronger warning labels on any NSAID products. OTC drug manufacturers will also being asked to add warnings, as well, 1011now.com reported.

The post The FDA Will Require Prescription NSAID Manufacturers to put Stronger Warning Labels on Medications to Reflect Cardiovascular Risks appeared first on Parker Waichman -

from Parker Waichman http://www.yourlawyer.com/blog/the-fda-will-require-prescription-nsaid-manufacturers-to-put-stronger-warning-labels-on-medications-to-reflect-cardiovascular-risks/