By Alistair Wilkinson
A New Zealand expert on brain injuries is calling for medications like Voltaren to be banned following a study which shows they significantly increase the chances of suffering a stroke.
Professor Valery Feigin also wants pills like Nurofen made prescription only.
But the Ministry of Health says the study simply confirms what is already know about these medicines.
When Simon welsh was 15 years old he was prescribed Voltaren to ease the pain from shin splints.
“It was almost immediate relief from pain that wouldn't go away,” he says.
But according to a Danish study, the two-week course could have had long term effects.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that people prescribed a high dosage – 150 milligrams – of anti-inflammatory medication like Voltaren that contain diclofenac were 86 percent more at risk.
That is of particular concern for people with a high risk of stroke.
“This study would suggest you discontinue and go on something that doesn't have this risk profile,” says Mr Feigin.
It's not just diclofenac – the same study found that taking ibuprofen, commonly sold here as Nurofen, at a dosage of more than 1200 milligrams, was linked to a 30 percent increased risk.
“Do you need to be on it? Is there a good alternative? Yes, the study shows there are good alternatives,” Mr Feigin.
Professor Valery Feigin is an expert on strokes, and he thinks it's time to ban medications like Voltaren.
“For the drug like diclofenac I would think this study is the last nail in the coffin for that medication,” he says. “I would seriously not recommend that medication to anybody.”
But the Ministry of Health says:
“The results of this latest study confirm what is already known about these medicines. As with all pain-killers, Medsafe advises using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible."
It recommends anyone with concerns should discuss them with their doctor.
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