'Pills can kill' shock

From the archive, first published Monday 6th Mar 2000.

By Victoria Owen Thousands of people are dying each year because they fail to follow warnings on pill packets, writes Victoria Owen.

New research by Oxford doctor Professor Henry McQuay shows about 2,000 lives are lost each year in Britain alone because people misuse simple painkillers.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - such as Nurofen, Advil and Ibuleve - are available over the counter and are regarded as safe after years of clinical trials.

But Prof McQuay, consultant in pain relief at the Churchill Hospital, warns users to be wary of taking the drugs routinely to fight joint, muscle and back pain. His team report their findings in the journal Pain and warn that continuous use can lead to "a substantial risk of death" because of stomach problems. Prof McQuay said: "The public really need to know the risks involved. If you don't need the full effect of Nurofen, then you are far better just taking a paracetamol."

After looking at more than 100 trials worldwide, Prof McQuay and colleague Dr Martin Tramer, of University Hospital, Geneva, found evidence that the tablets kill more people than cervical cancer or asthma.

But they stressed people should not panic. Prof McQuay said: "The crucial thing is that you have to take these pills for two months before you have any side-effects. Most of the people who are taking them for this length of time are doing so on prescription.

"On the side of the packets we buy, it does warn not to take the drugs for ever - it is the people who do this who are of concern."

Nurofen manufacturer Crookes Healthcare said the product - was excellent for short-term pain relief and was only recommended for use over small periods of time. A Department of Health spokesman said: "Research into this area is always welcome and its results are fed into updating information given with drugs."

Story date: Monday 06 March

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.

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