Diclofenac or Voltaren, one of the most used painkillers in the world, is associated with an increased risk of heart problems, according to a study conducted over twenty years in Denmark.
According to a Danish study, Voltarene causes an increase in cardiovascular events.
People using this medication may experience stroke, heart attack or even cardiac arrest.
The use of Voltaren increases the risk of heart problems
Voltarene, one of the most used painkillers in the world is not without danger. Indeed, according to a Danish study, published in the BJM, this drug is associated with an increased risk of heart disorders (1). As a reminder, diclofenac or Voltaren is prescribed against the pain of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, for example. It comes in either tablets, where the prescription is mandatory, or in the form of creams, where it is not necessary.
To reach these disturbing conclusions, the scientists analyzed the data concerning more than six million adults living in Denmark. Of these, 1.3 million began treatment with diclofenac, while nearly 4 million did so with ibuprofen, 291,000 with naproxen (another NSAID), 764,000 with paracetamol.
Use already limited by ANSM in 2013
In the end, from 1996 to 2016, participants who received diclofenac treatment had a higher risk of having a cardiovascular problem after 30 days of treatment than those taking another drug. And this, up to 50% compared to participants who took no anti-inflammatory treatment. In detail, they suffered from cardiovascular events: an irregular heartbeat, stroke, heart attack or cardiac arrest.
In addition, diclofenac also increased the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding by approximately 2.5 fold compared with ibuprofen, paracetamol and naproxen. The risks are already known since in 2013, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) had already limited its use. Indeed, in a statement, the ANSM indicated that diclofenac was now contraindicated in patients with "heart failure, ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease and / or cerebrovascular disease".
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