Long-term paracetamol use risky for those with high BP

Paracetamol is the most popular and most used pain medication in the world. It is available over the counter and usually considered safe when taken in recommended doses.

On the other hand, alternative painkillers like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, have long been associated with rise of blood pressure and risk of heart disease.

However, a recent study by the University of Edinburgh has found that long-term use of paracetamol might not be very safe after all.

It may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke in people with high blood pressure, reports The Guardian quoting the new study published in the scientific journal Circulation.

In the latest study, a group of patients with high blood pressure, who were prescribed paracetamol, saw a significant increase in their BP.

This rise was similar to that seen with NSAIDs, and might be expected to increase the risk of heart disease or stroke by around 20 percent, experts said.

However, short-term paracetamol usage for headaches does not possess the same risk factor.

"This is not about short-term use of paracetamol for headaches or fever, which is, of course, fine," said the lead investigator of the study, Dr Iain MacIntyre, consultant in clinical pharmacology and nephrology at NHS Lothian.

Professor James Dear, personal chair of clinical pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, said "This study clearly shows that paracetamol -- the world's most used drug -- increases blood pressure, one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.

"Doctors and patients together should consider the risks versus the benefits of long-term paracetamol prescription, especially in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease."

The researchers concluded that patients who have a long-term prescription for the painkiller, usually used for the treatment of chronic pain, should opt for the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.

The study, however, has limitations as it was conducted only on 110 subjects. Larger studies are needed to further determine paracetamol's effects on patients with high blood pressure.