Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) and the heart
A study has tried to clarify the effects of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the heart. These are medications like ibuprofen, naproxen and newer ones called Cox 2 inhibitors such as celecoxib and rofecoxib. Rofecoxib – brand name Vioxx – was taken off the market because of a raised risk of heart attacks and there is concern that older style non steroidals like ibuprofen did this too.
Analysing all available international data, two Australian researchers have concluded that rofecoxib did indeed raise coronary risk as did two older style non steroidals called diclofenac and indomethacin. Celecoxib is probably okay at normal doses.
The raised chances were significant but not huge and the good news was that ibuprofen and naproxen seem free of blame.
