Researchers from the University of South Australia have discovered in the first study of its kind that ibuprofen and paracetamol not only drive antibiotic resistance individually but amplify it when used together.
These common over-the-counter medications, typically used for pain and fever, may be quietly contributing to one of the world’s biggest health threats: antibiotic resistance.
The study found that when bacteria were exposed to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin alongside ibuprofen and acetaminophen, they developed more genetic mutations than with the antibiotic alone.
Worryingly, the bacteria became resistant not only to ciprofloxacin but also showed increased resistance to multiple other antibiotics from different classes.
This suggests these painkillers may be accelerating bacterial evolution in dangerous ways.
The World Health Organization has declared antimicrobial resistance as a global threat to public health.
This study serves as a clear reminder that we need to carefully consider the risks of using multiple medications, particularly in aged care where residents often receive various long-term treatments While these medications shouldn’t be abandoned, greater caution is needed in their use
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