New Delhi, Aug 27
Common painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are quietly fueling antibiotic resistance -- one of the world's biggest health threats, according to a study.
Researchers from the University of South Australia found that ibuprofen and acetaminophen are not only driving antibiotic resistance when used individually but also amplifying it when used together.
The team assessed the interaction of non-antibiotic medications, the broad-spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) -- a common bacterium that causes gut and urinary tract infections.
The findings, published in the journal npj Antimicrobials and Resistance, showed that ibuprofen and acetaminophen significantly increased bacterial mutations, making E. coli highly resistant to the antibiotic.
The study shows how antibiotic resistance is a more complex challenge than previously understood, with common non-antibiotic medications also playing a role.
"Antibiotic resistance isn't just about antibiotics anymore," said lead researcher Rietie Venter, Associate Professor at the varsity.