Common Painkillers May Accelerate Antibiotic Resistance
Common Painkillers May Accelerate Antibiotic Resistance
Source: Medscape Medical News
October 16 2025.-Nature, 2025
Keynotes:
• Crisis: ~4.95 million deaths in 2019 linked to antimicrobial resistance.
• Study origin: University of South Australia (Henrietta Venter et al.).
• Drugs tested: Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, diclofenac, furosemide, metformin, atorvastatin, tramadol, temazepam, pseudoephedrine.
• Method: E. coli exposed to ciprofloxacin ± non-antibiotic meds (NAMs).
• Main finding: Ibuprofen and acetaminophen greatly increased mutations → higher resistance (up to 32×).
• Others: Diclofenac and furosemide moderate resistance ; others minimal.
• Clinical note: Polypharmacy in nursing-home patients may accelerate AMR even without excess antibiotic use.
• Conclusion: Common painkillers can unintentionally fuel antibiotic resistance.