Arthritis Drugs Causing Strokes, Death?

Researchers in Denmark have found that individuals taking COX-2 inhibitors were 19% more likely to die after stroke than those who did not take these drugs. For this study, published online November 5, 2014 in Neurology, researchers studied newer generation COX-2 inhibitors, older generation COX-2 inhibitors, and non-selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen.

“While newer versions of these COX-2 inhibitors drugs have been pulled off shelves, older ones are still frequently prescribed, ” said study author Morten Schmidt, M.D., of Aarhus University Hospital in Aarhus, Denmark, in the November 4, 2014 news release. “Our study provides further important evidence solidifying the risks of certain arthritic pain relievers and death from stroke.”

According to the news release, “The researchers looked at 100, 243 people hospitalized for a first stroke in Denmark between 2004 and 2012 and deaths within one month after the stroke. Researchers looked at whether participants were current, former, or non-users of these drugs within two months of the stroke. If they were current users, researchers noted whether people were new users who had just started taking the drug for the first time or were long-term users.”

Participants currently using “COX-2 inhibitors were 19% more likely to die after stroke than people who did not take the drugs (10.4% versus 8.7%). New users of the older COX-2 drugs were 42% more likely to die from stroke than those who were not taking the drugs. Those taking etodolac were 53% more likely to die from stroke.”

There was no relationship found between the non-selective NSAIDs and increased stroke death. The team also found no connection between chronic use of any of the drugs and stroke mortality.

“Our study supports stepping up efforts to make sure people with a higher risk of stroke are not prescribed these medications when other options are available, ” said Schmidt.