More evidence arthritis/pain relieving drugs may contribute to stroke death

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-11/aaon-mea103014.php

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 5-Nov-2014

Contact: Rachel Seroka
American Academy of Neurology
More evidence arthritis/pain relieving drugs may contribute to stroke death

MINNEAPOLIS – Commonly prescribed, older drugs for arthritis and pain may increase the risk of death from stroke, according to a study published in the November 5, 2014, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The drugs examined in the study, called COX-2 inhibitors, include older drugs diclofenac, etodolac, nabumeton and meloxicam, as well as newer drugs called coxibs, including celecoxib and rofecoxib. COX-2 inhibitors are selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The study also looked at non-selective NSAIDs, which include common pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

"While newer versions of these COX-2 inhibitors drugs have been pulled off shelves, older ones are still frequently prescribed," said study author Morten Schmidt, MD, of Aarhus University Hospital in Aarhus, Denmark. "Our study provides further important evidence solidifying the risks of certain arthritic pain relievers and death from stroke."

•••••

Overall, people who were current users of COX-2 inhibitors were 19 percent more likely to die after stroke than people who did not take the drugs (10.4 percent versus 8.7 percent). New users of the older COX-2 drugs were 42 percent more likely to die from stroke than those who were not taking the drugs. Those taking etodolac were 53 percent more likely to die from stroke.

The researchers found no link between the non-selective NSAIDs and increased stroke death. Also, the study found no link between chronic use of any of the drugs and stroke mortality.

•••••