From theguardian
Experts says patients with heart conditions should stop using diclofenac after study finds stroke and heart attack link
Press Association
The Guardian, Friday 28 June 2013
"Research found patients using diclofenac to be 40% more at risk than those not using the drug."
Health officials have advised patients with heart problems to avoid an over-the-counter painkiller used by millions after research found that it can significantly increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said that patients with an underlying heart condition, such as heart failure, heart disease or circulatory problems, or patients who have previously suffered heart attacks or strokes, should no longer use diclofenac.
An MHRA spokesman said the advice on the drug has been updated after a European review found an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Research published in 2011 in the journal PLOS Medicine found that patients using diclofenac were 40% more at risk than those not using it.
In 2010, diclofenac was the most commonly prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in Britain, with 6m prescriptions written. The drug is also available to buy over the counter.
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