New study shows everyday painkillers like Ibuprofen may be fuelling global health threat

Research shows that everyday painkillers, when combined with antibiotics, could accelerate bacterial resistance and worsen the global health threat

Ibuprofen and paracetamol are the go-to medicines for headaches and fever globally. Every household around the world has these two drugs handy in their medicine cabinet for quick relief from headaches, fevers, and joint pain, almost like the first line of defence against these common ailments. However, new research has revealed that these harmless drugs could be contributing to an impending global health crisis in the long run.

A new study by the University of South Australia has found that commonly used non-prescription drugs like ibuprofen, acetaminophen (paracetamol), and naproxen could be responsible for antibiotic resistance.

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What is antibiotic resistance?

The bacteria have a property of genetically mutating in a way that they grow resistant to antibiotics over time. This natural process is called antibiotic resistance. The bacteria develop antibiotic resistance, making them capable of surviving and multiplying when exposed to antibiotics. With the overuse and misuse of antibiotics and other drugs, this process is accelerated. This has become a major health crisis globally.

According to World Health Organization, antimicrobial resistance is a global threat to public health, and bacterial resistance was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019.

What does the study say?

The study published on Nature.com observes that ibuprofen and paracetamol can, on their own, encourage bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics, but when taken together, seem to intensify this effect.

The scientists observed how these non-prescription medicines interact with the common antibiotic ciprofloxacin and Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterium responsible for gut and urinary tract infections. They noted that the two drugs exacerbated genetic changes in the bacteria and making it more resistant to antibiotics.

This phenomenon is especially concerning in vulnerable groups like older adults in aged care facilities, where many residents are prescribed multiple medications, often known as polypharmacy. It is common in such settings that antibiotics are given along with painkillers, creating perfect conditions for resistant bacteria to evolve. Experts warn that while these medicines are safe in moderation, there is a rising need to spread awareness about how they interact with bacteria.

Why it matters?

The study evaluated nine very commonly used medications in every old age homes like ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory pain relief), diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory to treat arthritis), acetaminophen (paracetamol for pain and fever), furosemide (for high blood pressure), metformin (for high sugar levels linked to Diabetes), atorvastatin (to help lower cholesterol and fats in the blood), tramadol (a stronger pain medication post-surgery), temazepam (used to treat sleeping problems), and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant).

Associate Professor Rietie Venter, who led the study explains, “Antibiotic resistance isn’t just about antibiotics anymore. Other drugs that people take every day may also be contributing to the problem in ways we didn’t fully understand before.”

“In this study, we looked at the effect of non-antibiotic medicines and ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic which is used to treat common skin, gut, or urinary tract infections. When bacteria were exposed to ciprofloxacin alongside ibuprofen and paracetamol, they developed more genetic mutations than with the antibiotic alone, helping them grow faster and become highly resistant. Worryingly, the bacteria were not only resistant to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, but increased resistance was also observed to multiple other antibiotics from different classes," she says.

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Venter also said that the study uncovered the genetic mechanisms behind this resistance, with ibuprofen and paracetamol both activating the bacteria’s defences to expel antibiotics and render them less effective.

Venter says the study shows how antibiotic resistance is a more complex challenge than previously understood, with common non-antibiotic medications also playing a role.

The researchers are now asking for more in-depth studies into these drug interactions among those who are prescribed these medicines for long-term. A more inept study would create greater awareness of how common medications may impact the effectiveness of antibiotic medicines.