NSAIDs should be used for the shortest time and at the lowest dose necessary, to minimise the risk of heart attack or stroke, the MHRA has reminded pharmacists.

The advice follows the publication of an international review that showed the use of popular NSAID, including diclofenac, can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke by a third.

Pharmacists should advise people to continue to take their NSAID medication as benefits outweighed the risks for most patients, the MHRA said.

The MHRA issued the safety warning on Wednesday, September 28, pointing out that the risks were already known.

The MHRA had evaluated all new evidence on the safety of NSAIDs as it had become available it said, and would continue to do so, it said.

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