Adults taking paracetamol are being issued an urgent warning (Image: Getty)
An urgent warning has been issued for people taking .
Older adults who regularly take paracetamol are being cautioned against , including internal bleeding and chronic kidney disease, according to a major analysis by researchers at the University of Nottingham.
The study, which tracked over 500,000 adults aged 65 and above for two decades, found a “dose-dependent” relationship between paracetamol use and , including stomach ulcers, heart failure, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.
Individuals prescribed paracetamol twice within six months were particularly vulnerable, with the risk escalating as the frequency and dosage of use increased.
Alarming findings revealed that higher doses significantly raised the likelihood of stomach ulcers bleeding or rupturing.
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Paracetamol takers are warned of risks of internal bleeding and chronic kidney disease (Image: Getty)
Paracetamol, often prescribed to manage chronic conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis, is used by approximately 90% of adults aged 75 and older, primarily to alleviate joint and bone pain.
However, Professor Weiya Zhang, an epidemiologist and study author, urged caution.
He said: “The use of paracetamol as a first-line painkiller for long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis in older people needs to be carefully reconsidered.”
Professor Zhang added that the drug has shown “minimal pain-relief effect” in many cases.
The findings backed updated guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in 2022, which recommend exercise programs as the primary treatment for osteoarthritis rather than routine paracetamol use.
Although paracetamol is perceived as gentler on the stomach compared to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, high doses have been linked to gastrointestinal irritation, including heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.
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The study also highlighted potential kidney damage, with some research suggesting that paracetamol may interact with bodily chemicals to produce toxins harmful to kidney cells.
In addition to kidney issues, soluble forms of paracetamol, which are high in sodium, have been linked to spikes in blood pressure, raising concerns about cardiovascular risks.
Paracetamol overdoses are a well-documented cause of acute liver failure in Western countries. Excessive doses overwhelm the liver’s ability to metabolise the drug safely, leading to the formation of toxic compounds that damage liver cells.
Dr. Kenneth Simpson, a liver specialist at Edinburgh University, previously warned about the dangers of staggered overdoses, where patients inadvertently exceed the recommended dose over time, often by combining multiple paracetamol-containing products.
The NHS advises adults not to exceed two 500mg tablets four times per day, with a maximum of eight tablets within 24 hours.
Patients are encouraged to monitor their intake, especially when using multi-ingredient medications for colds or flu.