Pain Medications and Hypertension
Robert Filice, M.D. Former staff physician

A very recent study published in the February Archives of Internal Medicine just concluded that a large group (16,031) of men averaging age 65 who used acetomenophen (Tylenol), aspirin, or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) had an average 33% greater chance of developing hypertension than non users. The findings in the current study were consistent with similar research conducted on women as part of the Nurses' Health Study. Since these are the three most commonly used drugs in the United States, there is significant cause for concern. The author's concluded that "Given their common consumption and the high prevalence of hypertension (in the United States,) our results may have substantial public health implications, and suggest that these agents be used with greater caution."

In a related matter, the American Heart Association announced that it recommends physicians change their prescribing habits with regard to these types of drugs in patients at high risk of coronary disease. With the back drop of Vioxx causing excess cardiac mortality, the AHA now feels that any of the Cox-2 selective anti-inflammatory drugs may increase heart attack risk by 86% compared to placebos. We advise physicians to start (pain management) with nonpharmacologic treatments such as physical therapy and exercise, weight loss to reduce stress on joints, and heat or cold therapy," said Elliott Antman, M.D., lead author of the AHA scientific statement and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston. "If the nonpharmacologic approach does not provide enough pain relief or control of symptoms, we recommend a stepped-care approach when it comes to prescribing drugs."

The take home lessons here are that all drugs, even over the counter drugs, can hurt you, and using drugs to "manage" chronic pain is probably a big mistake. Remember AHA recommends using "non pharmacologic" methods of treating pain first. That can include Prolotherapy, which works by inducing the body to permanently heal weak or damaged areas. Don't risk your health by "managing" chronic pain conditions with Tylenol, aspirin, Motrin or any similar drugs, including pain medication. Look for a definitive solution with Prolotherapy, and stop taking medications for pain.