Taking painkillers for chronic pain may worsen the condition

Commonly-used painkillers may cause more harm than good when it comes to primary chronic pain. — AFP

According to a new study, aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol – common painkillers we are used to taking for mild fever or aches and pain – may cause more harm than good in the treatment of chronic pain.

In a draft guideline published on Aug 3 (2020), the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) announced that there is “little or no evidence” of the efficacy of commonly used medicines against primary chronic pain.