Popular Pain Meds Could Worsen Some Disease Symptoms
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as those containing ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid, can potentially worsen the symptoms of certain diseases if taken regularly or in large quantities, research from Semmelweis University warns. They can harm gut microbiota composition, potentially negatively impacting the patients’ underlying diseases.
Researchers at Semmelweis Uni are investigating why and how the most frequently used painkillers, known as NSAIDs, can cause dysbiosis – an imbalance in the gut microbiota.
“We have long known that excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota. We are now looking for the underlying mechanisms, which are only partially understood,” says Dr. Zoltán Zádori, leader of the Gastrointestinal Research Group at the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy at Semmelweis University.
NSAIDs are among the world’s most used medications, with over 30 million people taking them daily, the researchers wrote in a review study published in the journal Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
Some diseases, such as chronic joint inflammation affecting the spine and limbs or rheumatoid arthritis, are associated with an imbalance in the gut microbiota and an overgrowth of certain bacteria, which are linked to the development and worsening of these diseases, says Dr. Zádori.
“We found that these bacterial deviations are similar to those caused by NSAIDs. This raises the possibility that drug-induced gut dysbiosis could worsen the underlying diseases and limit the therapeutic effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the long run," adds Dr. Zádori.
Challenges in Determining the Original Cause
“We currently assume several mechanisms behind the NSAID-induced dysbiosis, including the inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, changes in the pH or motor activity of the intestines, or changes in the bile acid composition. It’s also possible that the NSAIDs’ antibacterial properties directly disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota. These processes are closely linked, so it’s difficult to determine which caused which. For example, reduced bile function can lead to an overgrowth of intestinal bacteria. At the same time, dysbiosis can also change the quantity of certain bile acids,” explains the lead researcher.
NSAIDs usually affect the small intestine, causing hardly noticeable mild inflammation with symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, or anemia. In rare, severe cases, it can also lead to bowel perforation.
An imbalance in the gut microbiota can contribute to the development of various diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hormonal disorders, cardiovascular, autoimmune, and psychiatric diseases.
The Hungarian researchers are also seeking ways to counteract or mitigate the harmful effects of NSAIDs. They are experimenting, among others, with cannabinoids, which have already been effective in treating some intestinal issues, such as IBS.
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