Common painkillers may fuel deadly superbugs that resist antibiotics,…

Researchers at the University of South Australia revealed in a examine this week that common painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen may be supercharging antibiotic resistance, one of the world’s most essential health crises.

The examine discovered that these over-the-counter staples not only trigger bacterial resistance, but also compound the impact in devastating methods when mixed with antibiotics.

The findings may have profound implications for the health of older adults in nursing properties, where a number of simultaneous drugs are frequently administered, according to the examine’s authors.

“Antibiotics have long been vital in treating infectious diseases, but their widespread overuse and misuse have driven a global rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria,” Associate Professor Rietie Venter wrote in a media release about the examine.

“This is especially prevalent in residential aged care facilities, where older people are more likely to be prescribed multiple medications – not just antibiotics, but also drugs for pain, sleep, or blood pressure – making it an ideal breeding ground for gut bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics.”

Researchers examined the interplay of non-antibiotic drugs, the antibiotic ciproflaxin, and the common bacteria E. coli. What they discovered was that ibuprofen and acetaminophen considerably accelerated bacterial mutations, making E. coli extremely resistant to the antibiotic.

“When bacteria were exposed to ciprofloxacin alongside ibuprofen and acetaminophen, they developed more genetic mutations than with the antibiotic alone, helping them grow faster and become highly resistant,” Venter said. “Worryingly, the bacteria were not only resistant to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, but increased resistance was also observed to multiple other antibiotics from different classes.

“We also uncovered the genetic mechanisms behind this resistance, with ibuprofen and paracetamol both activating the bacteria’s defences to expel antibiotics and render them less efficient,” she added.

Other common medications analyzed in the study included diclofenac, used to treat arthritis; furosemide for high blood pressure; metformin, used to treat high sugar levels linked to Diabetes; atorvastatin, which helps lower cholesterol and blood fats; tramadol, a post-surgery pain medication; temazepam, a sleeping aid; and pseudoephedrine, a decongestant.

According to the World Health Organization, bacterial resistance was responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019. Venter said that in addition to the study’s material findings, it showed that antibiotic resistance is an even more complex challenge than previously thought.

“Antibiotic resistance is not just about antibiotics anymore,” she said. “This examine is a clear reminder that we need to rigorously contemplate the dangers of utilizing a number of drugs — notably in aged care where residents are often prescribed a combine of long-term therapies.

“This doesn’t mean we should stop using these medications, but we do need to be more mindful about how they interact with antibiotics — and that includes looking beyond just two-drug combinations.”