Why painkillers can leave you suffering anaemia

MILLIONS of Britons take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which include over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen, but also prescription- only tablets naproxen and diclofenac.

They work by blocking enzymes that play a key role in making prostaglandins, hormone- like chemicals involved in inflammation.

However, prostaglandins also protect the stomach lining, so taking NSAIDs can, in fact, result in stomach ulcers, bleeding and irondeficiency anaemia.

‘Ibuprofen is generally safer, but using it long term may result in problems — especially for the over-65s — because their protective stomach lining tends to deteriorate with age,’ says pharmacist Sultan Dajani.

‘This is why most people taking NSAIDs long term are now prescribed drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole which reduce stomach acid production.’

However, reducing stomach acid affects the absorption of nutrients that need an acidic environment to be absorbed (see heartburn section).

Mr Dajani said that the sideeffects of NSAIDs will be minimised by swallowing them with food and avoiding alcohol and spicy food around the time you take them.