KARACHI, Sept 29: Medical practitioners have urged people to be careful while taking common painkillers, as some of them can cause adverse affects. “Drugs, including common painkillers easily available at medical stores across the country, work effectively most of the time but carry potential complications”, warned Dr Sofia Ansari, a local physician.

She said patients must be aware that some over-the-counter (medical stores) painkillers are hazardous. Non-sterilized anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should only be allowed with a warning and drug should immediately be stopped if signs of serious conditions such gastrointestinal upset appear”, she stressed.

She said in addition to stomach upset, a common side-effect associated with NSAIDs, many people who used them were known to have developed more serious gastrointestinal problems including ulcers and bleeding. She said the seriousness of the NSAID-related problems was well-documented, but unfortunately patients by and large remained unaware of potential complications involved.—PPI