The study calls to question the safety of regular paracetamol use in this situation.
The researchers say, patients who have a long-term prescription for the painkiller, usually used for the treatment of chronic pain, should be given the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible.
In the study, 110 patients with a history of high blood pressure were prescribed one gram of paracetamol four times a day – a routinely prescribed dose in patients with chronic pain – or a matched placebo for two weeks. All patients received both treatments, with the order randomised and blinded.
Those prescribed paracetamol saw a significant increase in their blood pressure, compared to those taking the placebo.
According to Yahoo News, Prof. James Dear, personal chairman 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.”
He added: “In summary, we’ve shown that two weeks of treatment with paracetamol increases blood pressure in patients who have hypertension (high blood pressure).”
Lead investigator, Dr. Iain MacIntyre, consultant in clinical pharmacology and nephrology at NHS Lothian, said: “This is not about short-term use of paracetamol for headaches or fever, which is, of course, fine – but it does indicate a newly discovered risk for people who take it regularly over the longer term, usually for chronic pain.”
According to the World Health Organisation, hypertension ̶ or elevated blood pressure ̶ is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases.
The WHO estimated that 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years worldwide have hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries.
It stated further that an estimated 46 per cent of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition, noting that it is a major cause of premature death worldwide.
Yahoo News reports Dr. Benjamin Ellis, consultant rheumatologist at charity Versus Arthritis, as saying many people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions use paracetamol, or medicines containing paracetamol, to help manage their pain.
Dr. Ellis said, “The research demonstrates the need to develop safer medicines to treat pain. It also emphasises the importance of the health services providing more and better options for managing pain other than medicines.
“This includes ensuring that people are supported to be physically active, receive any mental health support they need, and working with charities like Versus Arthritis to provide peer support. If you are concerned about the risks from pain medicines you should speak with a healthcare professional to explore your options.”
Source: HealthWise
