A recent study by researchers from the University of Nottingham, UK, has raised concerns about the safety of paracetamol, a widely used over-the-counter medication, in adults aged 65 and above. The study found that prolonged use of paracetamol may significantly increase the risk of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and kidney-related complications in this age group.
Paracetamol, often prescribed as the first-line treatment for osteoarthritis—a chronic joint condition causing pain, stiffness, and swelling—is considered effective, accessible, and relatively safe. However, this study challenges its safety profile and highlights its limited effectiveness in relieving pain.
Published in Arthritis Care and Research, the study revealed that paracetamol use was associated with a 24% increased risk of peptic ulcer bleeding, a 36% higher risk of lower gastrointestinal bleeding, a 19% increased risk of chronic kidney disease, a 9% increased risk of heart failure, and a 7% increased risk of hypertension among older adults.
“This study highlights significant renal, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal side effects in older people who are repeatedly prescribed paracetamol,” said lead researcher Weiya Zhang from the University of Nottingham’s School of Medicine. Zhang emphasized the need for caution in using paracetamol as a first-line painkiller for chronic conditions like osteoarthritis in older adults, citing its minimal pain-relief effects and potential risks.
As reported by economictimes, the research analyzed health records of 1.80 lakh individuals aged 65 and above, who were repeatedly prescribed paracetamol, comparing their outcomes with those of 4.02 lakh individuals of the same age who had no repeated prescriptions. Data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink-Gold between 1998 and 2018 was used for the analysis, with the average participant age being 75.
Previous research supports these findings. A 2016 study published in The Lancet involving 76 randomized trials and 58,451 patients reported that paracetamol was ineffective in providing adequate pain relief or improving physical function in osteoarthritis patients with knee and hip issues.
Experts are calling for further research to confirm these findings and reassess the use of paracetamol as a first-line treatment for long-term conditions in older populations.