Why not NSAID's?

[MtLSteven]

What are the objections to NSAIDs and AF? I occasionally take a low dose NSAID for muscle pain.

[Finvola]

Research in Holland and Denmark showed that Ibuprofen and Diclofenac were implicated in the onset of AF - especially in older patients. It was recommended that these two drugs should be prescribed with care in people over 55. I was advised on diagnosis to avoid all NSAID's.

[CDreamer]

Ditto to Finvola. I was also told they can and do trigger AF.

In Spain you can only get them with a prescription.

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Not only do they increase your risk of AF, they also are not to be taken if you are on an anticoagulant.

[Hidden]

Absolutely agree with what has been said. A friend of mine went into AF after 10 days on NSAIDs

[RaySyl]

My understanding is that NSAIDs are not recommended for people on anti coagulants, like warfarin, because they can damage the lining of the stomach and cause bleeding. I have not heard about a direct correlation with AFib.

[CDreamer in reply to RaySyl]

bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d3450

[RaySyl in reply to CDreamer]

Thank for this link. I don't pretend to fully understand the stats but get the drift. I am surprised that I have never been warned off NSAIDs by any of the cardiac practitioners I have had dealings with over the years because of this apparent link with AFib. Interesting stuff.

[Polski in reply to RaySyl]

The study in the link appears to date from 2011. More is being discovered all the time, but no doctor can be totally up-to-date with all research!

[Hidden in reply to RaySyl]

I took an nsaid for years. Along with increased risk of stroke causing afib is on the side effects list

[djmnet]

The only time I ever had a severe afib episode was within minutes of taking naproxen (Aleve) and I ended up traveling by ambulance to the emergency room. Never, ever again will I take any kind of NSAID.

[jedimasterlincoln]

Until I mentioned on here I was on naproxen for osteoarthritis I was never aware of a link between my AF/flutter of the past 4 years.

I've taken regular ibuprofen for at least the last 6 years due to the knee problem, and in the last 12 months have been on naproxen. This was prescribed by my GP and both my EP and surgical cardiologist were also aware of it every time I got asked "what medication are you taking" I'm always sure to mention none-cardiac meds.

I've also consulted with an acute pain nurse at work, and whilst she mentioned that we had to be careful having the underlying cardiac problem, being none-warfarinised and only being 35 naproxen was seen as suitable.