Painkillers and Their Influence on Blood Pressure

No one is immune to pain of various kinds - whether it be headaches, toothaches, or colds, for which painkillers are taken acutely, or pain due to joint diseases that require long-term use of painkillers.

However, those suffering from high blood pressure should pay special attention to their values when taking painkillers.

Many painkillers have been reported to have a blood pressure-increasing side effect. This also applies to over-the-counter preparations, which are often used during cold season as a remedy for pain and fever.

As early as 2007, researchers in the USA studied the effect of painkillers on blood pressure. In this study, participants with initially normal blood pressure values were observed. Within four years, elevated blood pressure values were measured in one-eighth of the participants. Painkillers from the NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) group, such as diclofenac or ibuprofen, had the greatest impact on blood pressure.

However, the commonly taken paracetamol was not far behind and increased the risk of high blood pressure values by 34 percent. In this study, ASA (for example, aspirin) performed the best.

In a more recent study, researchers examined the effects of different NSAID active ingredients on blood pressure. The effects that NSAIDs can have on blood pressure are particularly interesting, as these medications are used to treat painful conditions like osteoarthritis and arthritis. Both conditions primarily occur in older individuals - a patient group where elevated blood pressure values are also commonly found.

So far, these preparations have generally been assumed to have a blood pressure-increasing effect. However, according to the latest findings from scientists, this depends on the active ingredient.

Worldwide, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, or celecoxib are among the most frequently prescribed medications. Ibuprofen and naproxen are available over the counter and are therefore often used for self-medication.

However, ibuprofen can significantly influence blood pressure. In the study, after four months, systolic values were measured to be 3.7 mmHg higher. Considering that a reduction in blood pressure by 2 mmHg reduces the risk of heart attack by 10 percent and the mortality risk in coronary heart disease by 7 percent, the relevance of this result becomes quickly clear. Naproxen increased systolic blood pressure by an average of 1.6 mmHg. In contrast, treatment with celecoxib showed a slight decrease in systolic blood pressure values by an average of 0.3 mmHg.

Therefore, individuals with hypertension should discuss the use of painkillers with their doctor to find a suitable active ingredient that can influence blood pressure as little as possible.

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By Sabine Croci. This article is medically reviewed. Last updated (04/2024).
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Painkillers and Their Influence on Blood Pressure

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