Paracetamol is sold over-the-counter in almost all pharmacies and supermarkets. It's hailed for easing various aches, pains and flu-like symptoms, boasting sales of 200 million unprescribed packets annually in the UK alone. However, a study from the University of Nottingham has raised red flags about its risks, claiming it 'may not be as safe as perceived'.
The research, published last month, warned that repeated doses in older people can give rise to a worsened risk of heart, gastrointestinal and kidney complications. Lead author, Professor Weiya Zhang, explained : "Due to its perceived safety, paracetamol has long been recommended as the first line drug treatment for osteoarthritis by many treatment guidelines, especially in older people who are at higher risk of drug-related complications." As part of their project, the team analysed health records from 180,483 people aged 65 and above who were prescribed paracetamol, comparing them to 402,478 non-paracetamol users of similar age.
Find out about the symptoms you need to watch out for and get health advice with our free health newsletter from the Daily Express The resulting evidence was stark, revealing that 'prolonged paracetamol use' could significantly spike the danger of 'serious complications' such as heart failure, hypertension, peptic ulcers, and chronic kidney disease. Ultimately, the researchers urged a 'careful reconsideration' of using paracetamol as a go-to for prescribed pain management in the long term. Profes.