Nsaids and diuretics causing heart failure

Doctors may be increasing the risk of heart failure among older patients if they are mixing diuretics with NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs). The combination can increase the risk of congestive heart failure, a new report suggests.

A study from the Netherlands involving 10,519 patients aged over 55, who were taking both drugs, found their chances of landing up in hospital with congestive heart failure were more than twice as great as those on just diuretics.

Surprisingly, the greatest risk was in the younger age group patients aged between 54 and 64 possibly because the NSAIDs seemed to bring on heart failure within 20 days of the treatment starting if diuretics were already being taken.

The risk of a hospital stay increased to three times if diuretics were mixed with potassium sparing drugs, and the risk was also higher if loop diuretics were used with NSAIDs (Arch Internal Med, 1998; 158: 1108-12).