IN THE first study of its kind, Australian researchers have discovered that ibuprofen and paracetamol could be driving antimicrobial resistance (AMR) when used in conjunction with broad-spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin.
The team from the University of South Australia looked at the interaction of ciprofloxacin with various non-antibiotic medications and Escherichia coli (E. coli), which causes gut and urinary tract infections.
Other drugs investigated were diclofenac, furosemide, metformin, atorvastatin, tramadol, temazepam and pseudoephedrine.
They found that ibuprofen and paracetamol significantly increased bacterial mutations, making E. coli highly resistant to the antibiotic.
According to the researchers, it is an important finding that has serious health implications, particularly for people in aged care homes, where multiple medications are regularly administered.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Rietie Venter said the findings raise important questions about the risks of polypharmacy in aged care.
“Antibiotics have long been vital in treating infectious diseases, but their widespread overuse and misuse have driven a global rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria,” Assoc Prof Venter explained.
“This is especially prevalent in residential aged care facilities, where older people are more likely to be prescribed multiple medications – not just antibiotics, but also drugs for pain, sleep, or blood pressure – making it an ideal breeding ground for gut bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics.
“When bacteria were exposed to ciprofloxacin alongside ibuprofen and paracetamol, they developed more genetic mutations than with the antibiotic alone, helping them grow faster and become highly resistant,” she continued.
“Worryingly, the bacteria were not only resistant to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, but increased resistance was also observed to multiple other antibiotics from different classes.”
The team also uncovered the genetic mechanisms behind this resistance, where the painkillers activated the bacteria’s defences to expel antibiotics and render them less effective.
Read the full paper HERE. KB
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