Paracetamol poses gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal risks for seniors: Study

Paracetamol is widely used and is a very common over-the-counter medication. But a new study has unveiled alarming information on the use of paracetamol.

"New research, led by experts at the University of Nottingham, has found that repeated doses of paracetamol in people aged 65 and over, can lead to an increased risk of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and renal complications," an official statement from the University has found.

The findings of the study have been published in the journal Arthritis Care and Research.





"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," said the lead author Professor Weiya Zhang, from the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham.

The study examined data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink-Gold, focusing on participants aged 65 and older, with an average age of 75. These individuals had been registered with a UK GP practice for at least one year, between 1998 and 2018. Researchers looked at the health records of 180,483 people who had been prescribed paracetamol repeatedly (≥2 prescriptions within six months) during the study.

The findings showed that prolonged paracetamol use was associated with an increased risk of peptic ulcers, heart failure, hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is widely used as a pain reliever and fever reducer, but its use, especially in older adults, can be associated with various complications. Another most concerning risk is its impact on liver function. High doses or prolonged use can lead to liver toxicity, potentially causing acute liver failure. This is especially problematic in seniors, whose liver function may already be compromised due to age or pre-existing conditions.