Diclofenac increases the risk of stroke and heart attack by 40 to 60 percent, according to the latest British and Canadian studies. Should diclofenac, a painkiller used primarily in rheumatic diseases, really be withdrawn from sale?
Reports thatdiclofenacmay causestrokeorheart attackappear for several years, but nevertheless no one has taken any steps to withdraw the drug from the market so far. In 2013, Patricia McGettigan from The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and David Henry from the University of Toronto reported in PLOS Medicine.
Diclofenac: who uses it?
Diclofenac is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is most often prescribed to patients suffering from various rheumatic diseases, osteoporosis and patients after surgery. It comes in various preparations, and is administered in the form of tablets, syrups and suppositories.
Diclofenac: when can it cause a stroke or heart attack?
A large number of patients who are prescribed it are elderly people with a history of various circulatory problems. In addition, patients suffering from various types of rheumatism usually also have heart problems. And, although diclofenac strongly inhibits the action of COX-2 (prostagladin, which is responsible for inflammation of the joints), it has a much smaller effect on the secretion of COX-1. This "selective" interaction increases the risk of blood clots that could lead to a stroke or heart attack.