Doctors warn of hidden threat from popular pills
Doctors are warning about the hidden dangers of popular over-the-counter painkillers, particularly ibuprofen. Millions of people make a dangerous mistake every day by combining medications without considering their compatibility. According to NHS data, about a thousand elderly patients are admitted to hospitals daily with severe adverse reactions, and in nearly a third of cases, ibuprofen is to blame. The risk of hospitalization increases fourfold when taking ten or more medications.
Doctors are warning about the hidden dangers of popular over-the-counter painkillers, particularly ibuprofen, which has been stored in home medicine cabinets for years. Millions of people make a dangerous mistake every day by combining medications without considering their compatibility. According to leading medical publications and the UK's NHS, millions of residents in developed countries are at increased risk due to polypharmacy—the regular use of five or more medications simultaneously. About a thousand elderly patients are admitted to hospitals daily with severe adverse reactions, and in nearly a third of cases, ibuprofen is to blame. The risk of hospitalization increases fourfold when taking ten or more medications. Doctors highlight several critical combinations: other NSAIDs, anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs, antihypertensives and diuretics, antidepressants, and corticosteroids. Medics urge patients to pay special attention to any drug combinations and avoid uncontrolled self-medication.