Health news

Regular paracetamol use has been linked to higher blood pressure, a study has warned. Paracetamol is a painkiller that helps with pain and high temperature. It is a commonly used painkiller that can help relieve headaches, joint pain and stiffness, toothache, sore throats, and fever caused by colds or flu. Paracetamol has traditionally been viewed as a safer option for people with high blood pressure than some other painkillers, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.

However, research published in 2022 suggested that regular use could have a measurable effect on blood pressure. 110 patients with a history of high blood pressure were prescribed one gram of paracetamol four times a day – a routinely prescribed dose in patients with chronic pain – or a matched placebo for two weeks. Those prescribed paracetamol saw a significant increase in their blood pressure compared with those taking the placebo. All patients received both treatments, with the order randomised and blinded. This rise was similar to that seen with NSAIDs, and might be expected to increase the risk of heart disease or stroke by around 20%, the experts said.

The team said the findings should lead to a review of long-term paracetamol prescriptions to patients, especially those with high blood pressure. The University of Edinburgh study, published in the scientific journal Circulation, marked the first large randomised clinical trial to address the issue and complemented earlier work in observational studies.

Professor James Dear, personal chairman of clinical pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, said: “This study clearly shows that paracetamol, the world’s most used drug, increases blood pressure, one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.

“In summary, we’ve shown that two weeks of treatment with paracetamol increases blood pressure in patients who have hypertension (high blood pressure).”

Lead investigator Dr Iain MacIntyre, consultant in clinical pharmacology and nephrology at NHS Lothian, said: “This is not about short-term use of paracetamol for headaches or fever, which is, of course, fine – but it does indicate a newly discovered risk for people who take it regularly over the longer term, usually for chronic pain.”

Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the study, said the findings “emphasise why doctors and patients should regularly review whether there is an ongoing need to take any medication” and “always weigh up the benefits and risks.”

“However, if you take paracetamol occasionally to manage an isolated headache or very short bouts of pain, these research findings should not cause unnecessary concern.”

Phil Pyatt, CEO of Blood Pressure UK also said: “Paracetamol is the most commonly taken medicine in the world. People taking soluble versions don’t realise they’re taking on extra sodium, in some cases enough to take you over your maximum for the day, and this research shows that these medicines could lead to life-changing illness. It’s concerning to see that even the regular tablets could raise blood pressure which could have consequences in the long term.

“There is no need to worry about short term use, but patients, doctors and pharmacists should be aware that these medicines that seem harmless could have serious implications in the long term. They should weigh up the risks and benefits and lower the dose if possible and consider whether they are necessary.”

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects around 1.4 billion people worldwide and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. According to the latest figures, around 16 million people in the UK are estimated to have high blood pressure but almost five million of them don’t know they have it.

Rarely, it can cause symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision or chest pain. However, the NHS has stressed that the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to get your blood pressure checked.