Researchers saw that both ibuprofen and paracetamol activate bacteria's defense against several different types of antibiotics. Among other things, E. coli bacteria, which cause intestinal and urinary tract infections, became more resistant to treatment, according to a study from University of South Australia.
Painkillers do not only drive antibiotic resistance each on their own, if they are used together, the bacteria's resistance to antibiotics becomes even stronger. This worries researchers because treatment with several different pain-relieving medications is common, especially in elderly care.
”It does not mean that we should stop using these medications, but we must be more aware of how they interact with antibiotics”, says the study's main author, associate professor Rietie Venter, in a press release.
