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Anti-inflammatory drug could cause heart attacks: study
2006-09-14
Some common anti-inflammatory drugs could increase the risk of heart attacks by 40 percent, according to new research in Australia. Researchers at the University of Newcastle examined 23 studies involving over-the-counter anti-inflammatories including diclofenac, commonly marketed as Voltaren. The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found diclofenac increased the risk of heart attack by up to 40 percent for patients already considered at risk. Lead researcher David Henry said the findings had serious implications for diabetics, smokers, people with high blood pressure and others in high risk categories for heart disease. "These drugs are actually quite toxic drugs and the side-effects should be taken seriously," Henry told reporters. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which regulates medicines in Australia, played down the findings, saying the risks posed by diclofenac were already well known. "It's not new, there are already warnings on the medicine," a spokeswoman told AFP. "We think the findings are a bit alarmist, given the small size of the sample in the research, and will not be taking additional action in regard to this drug." The spokeswoman said the TGA had been conducting its own extensive review of anti-inflammatories, which should be ready for release by the end of the year.
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