“Anyone prone to indigestion or heartburn will know that even an occasional over-the-counter ibuprofen and aspirin can aggravate their symptoms, but if taken long term they can do much worse,” he added.
“The same mechanism of action (prostaglandin inhibition) that helps most NSAIDs to ease aches and pains weakens the stomach’s natural defence against its own gastric juices, leading to irritation, ulceration, bleeding and even perforation.
Dr Porter said that, as should be the case with all medications, the real day-to-day benefits of a drug should be weighed up by a patient considering taking it, against its potential risks.
“These include anyone on low-dose aspirin (and equivalents such as clopidogrel) or anticoagulants such as warfarin and apixaban, those prone to indigestion or heartburn and/or who have a history of stomach or duodenal ulcers, and people with heart failure and chronic kidney disease,” he continued.
“And anyone over 65 who is not on accompanying gastroprotection such as omeprazole.”
