Painkillers are medicines that many people use to feel better when they have pain. They are often used for short-term pain, like after an injury, or long-term pain, such as back pain or arthritis.
These medicines can help people live more comfortably. But some new research shows that certain painkillers might also cause health problems, especially for the heart, kidneys, immune system, sleep, and even body weight.
One type of painkiller is called NSAIDs, which stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are used to reduce pain and swelling. A study by scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham looked at how one NSAID, called carprofen, affects the heart and kidneys.
The researchers used animals with heart problems and found that taking carprofen caused more inflammation in the heart and kidneys. This problem became worse if the animals also had a heart attack. This shows that NSAIDs could be risky for people who already have heart disease.
Another study in Denmark looked at a common NSAID called diclofenac. Researchers studied more than 6 million people and found that starting diclofenac was linked to more heart attacks and strokes within just 30 days.
The risks were higher than those seen with other painkillers like ibuprofen, naproxen, or paracetamol (also called acetaminophen). People who took diclofenac also had more problems with heart rhythm, strokes, heart failure, and heart attacks. This study was published in The BMJ and shows that some painkillers might not be safe for everyone.
Painkillers might also affect other parts of health. A study from Newcastle University in the UK looked at how some drugs affect body weight and sleep. The researchers studied over 133,000 people in the UK Biobank.
They found that some prescription painkillers, like gabapentin, pregabalin, and opiates, were linked to a higher risk of obesity and poor sleep. These drugs can make people feel sleepy, which means they move around less. They may also change the way food tastes, making people want to eat more sugary foods.
This study was published in PLOS ONE and shows that these drugs, while helpful for pain, can also cause problems if used for a long time. Doctors might need to be more careful when giving these drugs to patients, especially those with long-term health conditions.
In summary, while painkillers help many people manage pain, they can also have serious side effects. These include risks to the heart and kidneys, sleep problems, and weight gain.
It’s important for doctors and patients to talk about these risks and to look for safer ways to manage pain when possible. If painkillers are needed, using them for a short time and checking in with the doctor regularly may help reduce the chances of health problems.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies that herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm, and how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and results showing yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
