Taking common painkillers while on the Pill increases risk of silent killer

07 September 2023 , 17:14

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Painkillers only deal with specific types of pain (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

Woman on the Pill who take ibuprofen are at risk of developing a deadly blood clot, a study has shown. Scientists studied more than two million women and found those taking the combined pill were the most likely to face an emergency situation.

The Danish researchers stresses that although the risk of a blood clot is low, women should be aware of the possible danger. Blood clots pose a danger because they can lodge in the lungs causing breathing and heart problems. The study showed those on pills like Yasmin or Lucette were at greatest risk.

Women who take the mini pill or use implants and coils were much less likely to experience the event, according to the study. Study author Dr Amani Meaidi, said: "Women needing both hormonal contraception and regular use of anti-inflammatories should be advised accordingly."

Scientists at the the University of Copenhagen looked at the medical records of healthy women between the ages of 15 to 49 years over 21 years. The results have now been published in the British Medical Journal. It shows women who take anti-inflammatories, known as NSAIDs, while on the Pill were 1.5 times more likely to have a blood clot, compared with those who were not using hormonal contraception.

Dr Ian Musgrave, from the University of Adelaide said the study gives rise to “unwarranted concern” as the risk of clotting is low. But he said there was "good evidence" that women on hormonal contraception who are at high risk of clotting events have an increased risk. Diclofenac was identified as the anti-inflammatory drug most likely to trigger an event, compared with ibuprofen and naproxen, reports the Sun.

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Symptoms of blood clots

According to the NHS, the symptoms of a blood clot include:

• throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm
• sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood

Check if you're at risk of blood clots

Blood clots are rare in young, healthy people. You're more likely to get them if you:

• are staying in or recently left hospital – especially if you cannot move around much (like after an operation)
• are overweight
• smoke
• are using combined hormonal contraception such as the combined pill, contraceptive patch or vaginal ring
• have had a blood clot before
• are pregnant or have just had a baby
• have an inflammatory condition such as Crohn’s disease or rheumatoid arthritis.

Paul Greaves