Joshua Nair
A doctor has explained why there are some major risks which come with taking specific medications which are among the most popular in the UK.
The cardiologist took to social media to share his warning with followers, with many unaware of its effects.
A warning has been issued by the NHS when it comes to one of the drugs, omeprazole, which is a prescribed medication that was given to patients over 73 million times across 2022 and 2023 alone.
It was one of the most common medications prescribed to treat symptoms such as heartburn and acid reflux, though they are often prescribed with other medication such as ibuprofen, which can increase the likelihood of stomach ulcers.
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Long-term effects of the former can include low vitamin levels and weakened bones if you take it for a longer period of time, with the NHS even advising that people don't 'take omeprazole for longer than two weeks if you bought it without a prescription'.
Aside from this though, the prescribed drug and ibuprofen can pose other issues according to Dr Aurelio Rojas, who boasts over 1.1 million followers on Instagram.
Taking to the platform, he posted a video explaining, in Spanish, what people must be wary of when it comes to Omeprazole, ibuprofen, other painkillers, and even nasal decongestants and antidepressants.
Speaking specifically to those who do sports or exercise, he urged them to watch the video as there are medications which 'may be sabotaging your health without your knowledge', when it comes to their workout sessions.
He highlighted: "I’m not talking about unusual medications - I’m referring to the ones you take on a regular basis. And many people take them without realising it," report The Mirror.
This medication can be detrimental to your health, as Dr Rojas pointed out: "If you take it regularly, it may alter the absorption of magnesium, iron and vitamin B12. This affects your energy, your recovery and the health of your heart."
This is often linked to issues with excess stomach acid.
While the medication can protect the stomach by reducing acidity, long-term use of Omeprazole can hurt your gut, as Dr Rojas said of general use of the medication: "If you take omeprazole for long periods without proper medical supervision, you may be disrupting your nutrient levels and compromising your performance and heart health."
He further warned: "This is very common: ibuprofen, diclofenac or naproxen. Taking them before working out can damage your kidneys and increase the risk of a heart attack, especially if you are dehydrated.
"What I often see is people taking ibuprofen, diclofenac, or naproxen to relieve muscle pain before training, and who also use omeprazole to protect their stomach," he explained, adding that users aren't always aware of the long-term effects.
Along with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Dr Rojas noted: "These medications reduce inflammation and pain, but they also affect renal and cardiovascular circulation, especially if you take them before training."
Dehydration, which can happen during an intense workout, can increase the risk of kidney damage or a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack, the sports medicine specialist explained.
This is because NSAIDS can 'interfere with blood flow to the kidneys, which can lead to complications if not taken with the proper precautions'.
Nasal decongestants can also increase blood pressure and cause heart rate to spike during exercise, the expert says, while high blood pressure treatments can even make you lose key vitamins such as potassium and magnesium.
Dr Rojas also pointed out that antidepressants can affect the heart's electrical conduction, putting you at risk of arrhythmias for those who perform high-intensity exercise.