Abstract
Medications to treat pain are in widespread use and any change in the risk of fracture may consequently have a significant impact at a population level. Strong analgesics of the opiate and opiate-like group are associated with an increased risk of fractures probably from an increased risk of falls resulting from the dizziness induced by these drugs. However, not all strong analgesics are associated with an increased risk of fractures. The differences are not readily explained from variations in pharmacokinetic properties. Weak analgesics mainly interact with the prostaglandin system; these drugs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is associated with an increased risk of fractures while acetylsalicylic acid is not. Some but not all NSAIDs are associated with an increased fracture risk, and the differences are not explained by variations in pharmacokinetic properties. More research is needed to determine if some analgesics are safer than others with respect to fracture risk.
Keywords: Pain-Relief Medication, Fractures, analgesics, opiate, prostaglandin system, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetylsalicylic acid, acetaminophen
Current Drug Safety
Title: Pain-Relief Medication and Risk of Fractures
Volume: 3 Issue: 3
Author(s): Peter Vestergaard
Affiliation:
Keywords: Pain-Relief Medication, Fractures, analgesics, opiate, prostaglandin system, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetylsalicylic acid, acetaminophen
Abstract: Medications to treat pain are in widespread use and any change in the risk of fracture may consequently have a significant impact at a population level. Strong analgesics of the opiate and opiate-like group are associated with an increased risk of fractures probably from an increased risk of falls resulting from the dizziness induced by these drugs. However, not all strong analgesics are associated with an increased risk of fractures. The differences are not readily explained from variations in pharmacokinetic properties. Weak analgesics mainly interact with the prostaglandin system; these drugs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is associated with an increased risk of fractures while acetylsalicylic acid is not. Some but not all NSAIDs are associated with an increased fracture risk, and the differences are not explained by variations in pharmacokinetic properties. More research is needed to determine if some analgesics are safer than others with respect to fracture risk.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Vestergaard Peter, Pain-Relief Medication and Risk of Fractures, Current Drug Safety 2008; 3 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488608785699504
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488608785699504 |
Print ISSN 1574-8863 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3911 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Advances in Stem Cells Transplantation for the Therapy of Parkinson’s Disease
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Endothelial Dysfunction in the Hypertensive State: Mechanisms of Hypertensive Cardiovascular Complications
Current Hypertension Reviews Novel Plant Sterol and Stanol Derivatives with Beneficial Properties:Efficacy and Safety
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery The Vascular Wall and the Haemostatic Balance in Type 1 Diabetic Patients with Nephropathy
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Foreword: The Year in Review: Comments on Plants, Cyclodextrins, Microbiota, and Diabetes
Current Pharmaceutical Design Advanced Glycation: How are we Progressing to Combat this Web of Sugar Anomalies in Diabetic Nephropathy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cell Cycle Dependent Regulation of Intracellular Calcium Concentration in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: A Potential Target for Drug Therapy
Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Stress Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in the Emergency Department - New Techniques for Speed and Diagnostic Accuracy
Current Cardiology Reviews General or Local Anesthesia for TAVI? A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Pharmacotherapies to Manage Bone Loss-Associated Diseases: A Quest for the Perfect Benefit-to-Risk Ratio
Current Medicinal Chemistry Metaflammation: Tissue-Specific Alterations of the NLRP3 Inflammasome Platform in Metabolic Syndrome
Current Medicinal Chemistry Artificial Intelligence for Epigenetics: Towards Personalized Medicine
Current Medicinal Chemistry Review of Progress in Predicting Protein Methylation Sites
Current Organic Chemistry Overview and Developments Regarding Functional Foods and Beverages
Current Nutrition & Food Science Sodium-Proton Exchanger Isoform-1: Synthesis of a Potent Inhibitor Labeled with Deuterium and Carbon-14
Current Radiopharmaceuticals The Anti-Inflammatory Potential of ACE2/Angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas Receptor Axis: Evidence from Basic and Clinical Research
Current Drug Targets Aβ Monomers, Oligomers and Fibrils: Structural Features
Current Bioactive Compounds New Antimicrobial Approaches: Reuse of Old Drugs
Current Drug Targets Statins as Anti-Inflammatory Agents in Atherogenesis: Molecular Mechanisms and Lessons from the Recent Clinical Trials
Current Pharmaceutical Design Treatment of Atherosclerotic Renovascular Disease
Current Hypertension Reviews