Double-Edged Swords
Here are just some of the unintended ways that arthritis drugs may affect cardiovascular disease or diabetes. That doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t take these medicines. But it does underscore the need for you and your doctor to carefully weigh the potential benefits and risks of any medicine you are prescribed.
- Celecoxib (Celebrex) may increase the risk of a heart attack at high doses or with long-term use, although the extent of this risk is still being studied.
- Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (except aspirin) also may be associated with an increased risk of CV problems.
- Aspirin reduces the chance of a heart attack or stroke in high-risk individuals when taken daily in low doses. However, taking aspirin along with an anticoagulant drug, often prescribed for people with CV disease to prevent blood clots, can lead to excessive bleeding.
- Corticosteroids may raise blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Possible side effects include atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.
- Etanercept (Enbrel) may increase susceptibility to severe infections in some people with diabetes. Two other drugs that are similar
to Enbrel — infliximab (Remicade) and adalimumab (Humira) — may have the same effect.
