Common Painkillers May Fuel Deadly Bacterial Infections, Study Warns

Researchers say this could “turbocharge” the global crisis of antibiotic resistance, which already causes an estimated 1.27 million deaths each year.

Canberra: Two of the world’s most widely used painkillers — ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) — may increase the risk of life-threatening bacterial infections, according to new research from Australia.

The over-the-counter drugs, taken by millions daily for headaches, fevers, and body aches, were found in lab experiments to make bacteria more resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Researchers say this could “turbocharge” the global crisis of antibiotic resistance, which already causes an estimated 1.27 million deaths each year.

Bacteria Showed Greater Resistance to Antibiotic

The study tested the painkillers both individually and in combination. In each case, bacteria showed greater resistance to antibiotics, a worrying finding given how often these drugs are used alongside each other, particularly in hospitals and aged-care facilities.

Lead researcher Dr. Rietie Venter, an expert in microbial resistance, explained:

“Antibiotic resistance isn’t just about antibiotics anymore. This study is a clear reminder that we need to carefully consider the risks of combining multiple medications, especially in vulnerable groups such as aged-care residents.”

She stressed that people should not stop using these painkillers altogether, but that doctors and patients must be more mindful of how such drugs interact with antibiotics.

Health experts caution that while the findings come from lab tests, not human trials, they highlight an urgent need to look beyond antibiotics alone when tackling drug-resistant infections, which the CDC calls “one of the greatest public health challenges of our time.”