Popular Painkillers Increase Risk of Heart Attacks, Oxford University Study

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High doses of painkillers such as ibuprofen raise the risk of heart disease, according to a review of 639 studies that draws a parallel with the potential danger from newer pain drugs including Pfizer Inc. (PFE)’s Celebrex and Merck & Co.’s withdrawn Vioxx. Over a year of treatment, for every 1,000 patients with moderate heart disease risk who took 2,400 milligrams of ibuprofen or 150 milligrams of diclofenac, both daily doses standard for arthritis, three patients would experience an avoidable heart attack, the analysis showed. Ibuprofen is sold as a generic and under brand names such as Advil and Nurofen.

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