Beware of anti-inflammatories in the event of infection, which can lead to serious infectious complications, sometimes fatal, explains Martin Ducret.
Martin Ducret, doctor and journalist at Doctor’s Daily, alerts us today to the risks of anti-inflammatories, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, in the event of infection.
franceinfo: Already, explain to us what anti-inflammatories correspond to?
Martin Ducret: These are drugs that reduce fever, pain, inflammation, and thin the blood. The best known of them are aspirin, Advil, Ibuprofen or Nurofen. Anti-inflammatories are indicated in case of migraines, rheumatism such as osteoarthritis, in traumatology, for sprains and tendonitis, or even during painful periods. They should not be confused with paracetamol, also known as Doliprane or Dafalgan, or with cortisone, which is a more powerful anti-inflammatory.
What’s wrong with these drugs?
Well, taking an anti-inflammatory, in the event of an infection, can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, infectious complications. Besides, a resurgence of these serious cases was noted during the month of March, by the regional centers of pharmacovigilance. It is therefore important to talk about this subject!
To give a concrete example which I have witnessed several times, taking an anti-inflammatory can lead to the appearance of an abscess in the throat or even a serious infection of the skin in the event of bacterial angina. This is because anti-inflammatories reduce the action of the immune system, and accentuate the infection. In other cases, they can mask symptoms of an infection, and lead to a delay in treatment.
The problem is that some anti-inflammatories are sold over the counter at the pharmacy, and that far too many patients take them for self-medication, in the event of a common infection, such as angina.
What are the rules for the proper use of these drugs?
They are simple. In the event of an infection – of the throat, ears, bronchial tubes or even of the skin – you should not take anti-inflammatories, even if you are on antibiotics. It is necessary to privilege paracetamol, it works as well on pain and fever.
And for a health problem other than an infection – like a migraine or a sprain – before taking an anti-inflammatory, ask your doctor for advice.