Pain is something almost everyone experiences. A headache, back pain, sports injury, arthritis, or long-term health condition can make daily life difficult and uncomfortable.
Because of this, millions of people around the world take pain-relieving medicines every day. These drugs can help people move more easily, sleep better, and continue with work and family activities. Many of these medicines are available without a prescription, so they are often seen as safe and routine parts of daily life.
However, scientists are learning that some commonly used pain medicines may have important side effects that people do not always consider. New studies suggest that these drugs can sometimes affect the heart, kidneys, body weight, and sleep, especially when they are taken regularly or by people who already have other health problems.
One major group of pain medicines is called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, usually known as NSAIDs. These medicines reduce pain and swelling and are often used for headaches, muscle injuries, arthritis, and many other painful conditions. Familiar examples include ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham recently studied an NSAID called carprofen in animals that had heart disease. The scientists discovered that the drug caused mild inflammation in both the heart and the kidneys.
When the animals experienced a heart attack, the inflammation became more severe. The findings suggest that certain NSAIDs could potentially increase health risks for people who already have heart problems and might make existing damage worse. This research was published in the journal Life Sciences.
Another large study from Denmark raised more concerns. Scientists examined health information from more than six million adults. They found that people who started taking diclofenac had a higher chance of developing serious heart problems within just one month. These problems included heart attacks, strokes, and irregular heartbeats.
The risk was greater than for people taking other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, and it was also higher than for people using paracetamol, which is called acetaminophen in some countries. The researchers concluded that diclofenac may be particularly risky for people with existing heart concerns. Their findings were published in The BMJ.
Pain management often involves other types of medicines as well. Some people with long-lasting pain or nerve pain are prescribed opioids or medicines known as gabapentinoids, including gabapentin and pregabalin. These drugs can be very helpful for controlling severe pain, but scientists have also found reasons for caution.
Researchers from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom examined health information from more than 133,000 participants in the UK Biobank. They found that people taking these medications were more likely to be overweight and to experience poor sleep.
The researchers believe there may be several reasons for this. Some of these medicines have sedative effects, making people feel sleepy and less active during the day.
Some may also change eating habits by increasing cravings for sweet foods or altering the way foods taste. Reduced physical activity and changes in diet can contribute to weight gain over time. This study was published in PLOS ONE.
Taken together, these studies show that pain medicines can bring both benefits and risks. They can make life easier by reducing discomfort, but they may also contribute to serious health problems in some people.
Heart disease, kidney problems, weight gain, and sleep difficulties may occur, particularly among people who already have conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.
The researchers say that pain medicines should be used carefully and thoughtfully. For many people, taking these drugs for a short period and at the lowest effective dose may be appropriate. For ongoing pain, it may also be worth considering other approaches such as physical therapy, gentle exercise, relaxation techniques, or other non-drug treatments.
People who need long-term pain medicines should talk regularly with their doctors and have checkups to watch for possible side effects. These studies are an important reminder that while pain relief is valuable, making safe choices today can help protect long-term health in the future.
If you care about arthritis, please read studies about extra virgin olive oil for arthritis, and pomegranate: A natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
For more information about arthritis, please see recent studies about how to live pain-free with arthritis, and results showing medical cannabis may help reduce arthritis pain, back pain.
Copyright © 2026 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
