To make "moving a pleasure again", pharmaceutical companies offer many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including diclofenac, which is used to treat rheumatic and joint pain, sprains and bruises.

Although this molecule relieves pain quickly and effectively, in many cases, a meta-analysis recently proved that diclofenac was as dreadful as a certain Vioxx (rofecoxib), withdrawn from the American market in 2004 because of its numerous dangerous side effects that cost the lives of more than 60,000 people.

Diclofenac is widely available; in addition to being the most prescribed NSAID in the world, it is also available over the counter in lower doses.

The list of side effects is long

Let's point out the gastrointestinal risks, which can be fatal mainly in the elderly, but, fortunately, with the mention of "isolated cases". Phew! We are reassured.

Other adverse events include skin reactions, dermatological or respiratory hypersensitivity reactions and infrequent central nervous system effects. Let's reassure ourselves again, the effects on the liver, kidneys or blood are also uncommon! Bad luck for the one who will report fulminant hepatitis, interstitial nephritis or leukopenia.

The package inserts for diclofenac-based drugs suggest that use of the molecule "may be associated with a slight increase in the risk of arterial thrombotic events (e.g., myocardial infarction or stroke), particularly with high-dose use (150 mg per day) and over a long duration of treatment. "

Why do NSAIDs have these effects? Simply put, they inhibit the prostaglandins that cause inflammation and pain, while inhibiting those that dilate vessels and increase blood flow. By suppressing these, blood pressure and blood clotting inevitably increase.

It seems clear that the cardiovascular risk is increased in people with existing cardiovascular disease for whom the risk of congestive heart failure is multiplied by 10! Healthy people are not left out. One study found that taking diclofenac increases the risk of heart attack or stroke by 40 percent and increases the risk of cardiovascular death by 4 times.

While duration of treatment and high doses are generally the main risk multipliers, even low doses in over-the-counter products have been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular events by 22%.

Inflammation is a completely natural healing process

If you are suffering from pain related to this process, it can be effectively treated with natural anti-inflammatories, most of which are as effective as chemical molecules and will cause little or no side effects. Thus, curcumin or ginger can be precious allies.

Ask for advice from health professionals, to relieve you in all serenity, in the total respect of your body.

Read about it in thearticle from the newspaper Le Monde (August 22, 2013)