Can Paracetamol contribute to antibiotic resistance? New study explores link
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Paracetamol and Antibiotic Resistance: When we fall sick with fever and body aches, we often turn to over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen. However, a new study from the University of South Australia reveals that these commonly used drugs could be silently contributing to antibiotic resistance.
In the study, researchers discovered that both ibuprofen and paracetamol not only promote antibiotic resistance individually but also intensify it when taken together. The team examined how these drugs interact with the broad-spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin and the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli), which commonly cause gut and urinary tract infections. Their findings showed that the use of ibuprofen and acetaminophen significantly increased bacterial mutations, making E. coli far more resistant to ciprofloxacin.
While it’s widely known that excessive use of antibiotics can lead to resistance, researchers warn that people often overlook the role of other medicines. Drugs we consider safe and harmless like paracetamol and ibuprofen may also be quietly accelerating the global antibiotic resistance crisis, the Indian Express reported.
Experts describe antibiotic resistance as one of the biggest health threats globally, arising when bacteria adapt in ways that render antibiotics less effective or even useless. According to Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant of internal medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, this makes common infections such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and even simple cuts increasingly difficult or sometimes impossible to treat.
The University of South Australia study revealed alarming findings. Researchers observed that when bacteria were exposed to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin along with ibuprofen and acetaminophen, they underwent more genetic mutations compared to when treated with the antibiotic alone. This mutation allowed bacteria to grow faster and develop high levels of resistance. Lead researcher Associate Professor Rietie Venter noted that the bacteria not only became resistant to ciprofloxacin but also showed increased resistance to several other antibiotics from different drug classes.
Ibuprofen and paracetamol, widely used across the globe to relieve pain, fever, headaches, and inflammation, are generally considered safe and are common household medications. However, Dr. Chatterjee explained that despite their benefits, these drugs seem to have unintended consequences on the bacteria living in our bodies. Since the human body hosts trillions of bacteria, both good and bad, these microorganisms constantly interact with everything we consume, including medications, which may contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Researchers caution that common painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol can unintentionally place bacteria under stress. While this might seem beneficial, Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee explains that stressed bacteria often activate survival mechanisms, which may include mutating or altering their structure to resist antibiotics in the future. He highlights that the effect is even more pronounced when both medications are taken together, potentially accelerating the development of antibiotic resistance.
The study underscores the importance of carefully weighing the risks of using multiple medications, especially in aged care facilities where residents are frequently prescribed several long-term treatments. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already classified antimicrobial resistance as a major global public health threat, with bacterial resistance linked to an estimated 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019.
