Researchers from the University of Utah and Pfizer Inc. included 11,957 patients on naproxen (220 mg) and 38,507 patients on ibuprofen (200 mg) in this study that used GE Medical System's Centricity database. Excluded from the analysis were patients who took steroids, used blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadinâ), or had other significant health problems. Patients on ibuprofen and naproxen, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), were 2.5 to 2.74 times more likely to experience serious GI problems such as ulcers, perforations or bleeding than those who did not take over-the-counter pain medications.
When the researchers looked at the smaller groups of ibuprofen and naproxen users who also took aspirin, there was increased risk of serious problems. Patients taking both ibuprofen and aspirin had a risk of serious GI problems that was 3.4 times higher than patients taking just ibuprofen. For the naproxen and aspirin users, their risk was 2 times higher than those on naproxen alone. "Aspirin can significantly increase the risk of problems among patients using other over-the-counter NSAIDs," according to Joseph Biskupiak, Ph.D. of the University of Utah.
About the American College of Gastroenterology
The ACG was formed in 1932 to advance the scientific study and medical treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The College promotes the highest standards in medical education and is guided by its commitment to meeting the needs of clinical gastroenterology practitioners. Consumers can get more information on GI diseases through the following ACG-sponsored programs: