Latest news with #Nimesulide
Mint
19-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
7 common medicines that may secretly harm your heart health, reveals heart surgeon
Your heart works tirelessly, beating over 100,000 times a day to keep you alive, yet it is often taken for granted. With rising stress, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits, and poor sleep, heart problems are becoming more common than ever, even among younger people. While many are aware that smoking, high cholesterol, and lack of exercise can hurt heart health, few realize that certain everyday medicines might be quietly adding to the risk. From pills we pop for a headache or cold to drugs for chronic conditions, some of them could strain the heart in unexpected ways. Yes, there are a few common medications that, when misused or taken long-term, may actually do your heart more harm than good. Here are some common medicines that may take a toll on your heart, leading to serious complications like high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure, and even stroke: Over-the-counter pain relievers like Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, and Nimesulide are widely used medicines for treating pain, fever, and inflammation. But what many people do not realize is that these drugs can quietly affect your heart health. "Long-term or high-dose use of NSAIDs can lead to high blood pressure, fluid retention, and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, especially in those with existing heart issues," warns Dr Swarup Swaraj Pal, Senior Consultant Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon at Gleneagles Hospitals. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that taking NSAIDs, even for just a week, can significantly raise your risk of a heart attack. To deal with seasonal cold and flu, decongestants like phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are commonly used. However, they may do more than good. "Decongestants can constrict blood vessels, leading to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure," explains Dr Swarup. For individuals with hypertension or pre-existing cardiac conditions, this can be dangerous. The Annals of Emergency Medicine reports that these drugs can overstimulate the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart attack or other complications. While antidepressants can help improve mental health, some types, especially tricyclic antidepressants like Amitriptyline or SSRIs like Fluoxetine, can potentially affect your heart rhythm. "These drugs may increase heart rate and, in people with structural heart disease or arrhythmias, lead to palpitations or irregular heartbeats," says Dr Swarup. If you have any known heart issues, it is important to discuss potential side effects with your psychiatrist or cardiologist before starting or changing antidepressant medication. Some medications used to manage type 2 diabetes, such as Pioglitazone, are known to cause fluid retention. In some cases, this can lead to heart failure. It is particularly risky in people who already have any heart health problems. If you are on anti-diabetic medication, make sure your doctor keeps a close watch on your heart health. Antibiotics like Azithromycin and Clarithromycin are often prescribed for respiratory or bacterial infections. However, they can interfere with your heart's electrical activity. "These drugs can lead to arrhythmias, especially when taken alongside other heart-sensitive medicines," notes Dr Swarup. They are not dangerous for everyone, but in people with heart conditions or those taking multiple medications, the combination could be risky. Corticosteroids, often referred to simply as steroids, are commonly prescribed for asthma, arthritis, and allergic conditions because of their anti-inflammatory properties. But they can come with serious cardiovascular side effects. According to a study in the Canadian Respiratory Journal, oral corticosteroids were linked to a higher risk of high blood pressure and acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Why? These drugs can cause the body to retain sodium and fluid, leading to increased pressure in blood vessels and added strain on the heart.
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Awareness programme for pharmacists on banned veterinary drugs that affect vultures held
An awareness programme for pharmacists to sensitise them about banned veterinary drugs that affect wildlife, specifically endangered vulture species, was held recently at Cairn Hill in Udhagamandalam. The event was organised by Arulagam, a conservation NGO with the participation of the Department of Drug Control, State Forest Department as well as the Department of Animal Husbandry. Pharmacists from 40 pharmacies from Coonoor, Udhagamandalam, Kotagiri, Gudalur, Pandalur and Manjoor in the Nilgiris participated, a press release said. S. Marimuthu, Assistant Director, Coimbatore North Zone, Department of Drug Control, Government of Tamil Nadu, highlighted the swift action taken by the government after the ban on Nimesulide. 'A circular was immediately sent to every available drug outlet,' he stated. 'We conducted raids, ensured immediate return of banned drugs in stock, and revoked licences of pharmacies that violated the ban.' He added that drug inspectors are closely monitoring bulk medicine purchases. Due to regular instructions from Government Health and Environment Secretaries and the Director of the Drug Control Department, 99% of banned drugs are no longer available in retail sales, he said. Meanwhile, M. Dhayanandan, Forest Range Officer, Siriyur, spoke of the synchronised survey conducted for vultures across three States, highlighting the current population and nest counts. He also spoke about the ongoing Forest Department efforts to remove lantana camara plants, continuous monitoring in the nesting areas, compensation for cattle killed by tiger attacks, and awareness programmes for students and other stakeholders, the press release added. S. Bharathidasan, secretary, Arulagam, delivered a presentation titled 'Vultures: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.' He spoke of the cause for the sudden decline in vulture population over a short period in India, the current trends, and the steps being taken by Central and State government departments to maintain and restore the population. He also highlighted steps that needed to be taken to increase vulture population and said that if vultures go extinct, that the Nilgiris biosphere will be greatly affected, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts to safeguard the future of vultures. Also present at the event was C. Sreekumar from the Tamil Nadu University of Veterinary Sciences, K. Gopal, president, Nilgiris District Drug Dealers Association, Sridhar, a wildlife zoo veterinarian, as well as volunteers from Arulagam.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Common supplements and medications could cause liver damage, studies show
As cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) are on the rise, experts are warning of the hidden dangers associated with some common medications and supplements. Statistics show that DILI, also known as toxic hepatitis or hepatotoxicity — which is known to be a significant cause of acute liver failure — has been growing in Western countries since the 1960s. Around one-fifth of the total population who are prescribed medications will experience DILI, according to recent research published in the journal Toxicology Reports. Common Daily Vitamin Could Slow Biological Aging, Major Study Suggests Potential triggers of liver injury include herbal products, dietary supplements and medications, the study found. Those with pre-existing liver conditions and nutritional deficiencies are at a higher risk, as are pregnant women. Read On The Fox News App One of the liver's main functions is to break down substances taken orally, including supplements and medications, according to the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). For some people, the process of metabolizing these substances can be slower, increasing the risk of liver damage. Colorectal Cancer Risk Reduced By This Common Vitamin, Study Suggests Even medications that have been tested for safety and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can potentially cause liver injury in rare cases, stated the ACG. Common symptoms of liver disease include nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, generalized itching, dark urine and jaundice, although some people may notice no signs, per the above source. Alcohol Drives Up Liver Transplant Demand In Young People The recent study in Toxicology Reports identified several drugs that are most likely to cause liver injury. Paracetamol (acetaminophen), a common over-the-counter pain reliever Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are often used to treat headaches, fever and chronic inflammatory disorders Aspirin, a common over-the-counter medication used as a fever-reducer, pain reliever and blood thinner Nimesulide, an NSAID used to relieve pain and reduce fever Methotrexate, an antimetabolite medication that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lymphoma, leukemia and other cancers Corticosteroids, which are used to treat conditions involving inflammation or overactive immune systems Isoniazid, a first-line treatment for tuberculosis Tetracyclines, a class of antibiotics that treat multiple types of bacterial infections Halothane, which is used as a general anaesthetic during surgical procedures Medications aren't the only agents that can cause drug-induced liver injuries. Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, spoke with Fox News Digital about the risks of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) affecting the liver. "The biggest problem with herbal supplements is that the amount you are taking of active chemicals isn't strictly regulated, so you don't know exactly what you are getting," he said. "And since several of the supplements are metabolized through the liver, there is now an increasing incidence of liver toxicity in users." Cases of DILI linked to herbal or dietary supplements have nearly tripled between 2004 and 2014, according to a 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open. The researchers identified the following most commonly used botanical products known for potential liver toxicity. Turmeric, a common spice added to foods Green tea Ashwagandha, an herb used for stress and anxiety Garcinia cambogia, a popular weight-loss supplement Red yeast rice, which is said to help lower cholesterol levels Black cohosh, a dietary supplement used to relieve menopause symptoms It is estimated that at least 15.6 million U.S. adults have used at least one of these six botanical products within the past 30 days. Common Supplement Could Help You Live Longer, Research Suggests "The most commonly implicated botanical products in the DILIN (Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network) include turmeric, kratom, green tea extract and Garcinia cambogia, with potentially severe and even fatal liver injury," the study stated. Drug-induced liver injury caused by HDS can be severe or even fatal, leading to death or liver transplantation, the researchers noted. Fox News' Siegel also warned against the potential liver-related risks of some of these named supplements. "Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and may be useful in small doses, but can be toxic in large doses," he cautioned. "Garcinia cambogia is very popular, especially as a weight-loss agent, but there is no real evidence that it actually works, and there is no reason to take it, especially with the new GLP-1 drugs." While red yeast rice has cholesterol-lowering statin-type properties, Siegel cautioned that the amount of active chemicals isn't as strictly regulated as approved medications. "I find it useful in some patients who are reluctant to start statins and are looking for a more natural alternative, but I must strictly monitor the amount taken and the effect on the liver," he said. Regarding green tea, Siegel noted that it does have antioxidant properties and can be useful to consume as a beverage (though it has a lot of caffeine) — "but there is no reason whatsoever to take more of it in an extract, where it can be toxic." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter The FDA states on its website that it does regulate dietary supplement products and dietary ingredients, but under "a different set of regulations than those covering 'conventional' foods and drug products." "Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded," the agency says. "That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as amended by DSHEA and FDA regulations." For more Health articles, visit Fox News Digital reached out to several researchers and the FDA regarding the rise in drug- and HSD-related liver article source: Common supplements and medications could cause liver damage, studies show
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Awareness programme on vulture conservation held in Udhagamandalam
Arulagam, a non-governmental organisation, conducted a one-day awareness programme for pharmacists on the banned veterinary drugs that are harmful to vultures, at the Cairn Hill Forest Campus on Saturday. Following the ban on the drugs Diclofenac, Aceclofenac and Ketoprofen, the Government of India has banned the use of 'Nimesulide' for animals from January 1, 2025, intending to protect the endangered 'Paaru' vulture. Protecting the endangered species is a collective responsibility, and for the past 15 years, Arulagam has been actively working alongside the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Drugs Control Department, and Animal Husbandry Department to prevent the extinction of this rare species in the Nilgiris. During the awareness programme, experts from the Forest Department and the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) emphasised the vital role vultures play in the ecosystem and the necessity of spreading awareness among pharmacists to refrain from dispensing the banned drugs, harmful to the species.
New Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Vulture safety: DCA to hold awareness meet on banned drugs in Coonoor
CHENNAI: Following a crackdown on veterinary pharmacies for stocking banned non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Administration (DCA) will hold an awareness meet in Coonoor on May 24. Pharmacies in Ooty, Kothagiri, Mettupalayam and Coonoor have been invited to attend the session, which will highlight the ill-effects of NSAIDs on vultures and explain the reasons behind the ban. The move comes after inspections revealed that several outlets were illegally selling Nimesulide and Diclofenac, both of which are linked to the sharp decline in vulture population. 'Licences of two pharmacies were cancelled, and five were suspended. Inquiries are ongoing against five others,' DCA director MN Sridhar told TNIE. The DCA has already initiated action against pharmacies for sale of Diclofenac, a veterinary drug linked to a 97% vulture population crash in India since the 1990s. 'The enforcement has yielded 104 convictions,' he added. The awareness meet is being organised in collaboration with vulture conservation NGO Arulagam. Its co-founder S Bharathidasan said the team visited 43 pharmacies in vulture habitats. Of these, 11 admitted NSAIDs are out of stock but offered to arrange the drugs within a week. Eight had NSAIDs in stock. 'One pharmacy offered a 10% margin on the MRP to the buyer. Twenty two outlets stocked veterinary ointments and sprays but did not carry injectable or bolus medications for cattle, Bharathidasan said. According to the recent synchronised vulture survey, the vulture population in Tamil Nadu and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) has risen from 320 to 390.
