In the first study of its kind, researchers found that ibuprofen and paracetamol not only drive antibiotic resistance when used individually but amplify it when used together. (File photo)Whenever we fall sick with body aches and fever, we reach out for paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen, both common over-the-counter medications in India. But new research from the University of South Australia shows that these could be silently triggering antibiotic resistance.In the first study of its kind, researchers found that ibuprofen and paracetamol not only drive antibiotic resistance when used individually but amplify it when used together. They assessed the interaction of these drugs with the broad-spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin and Escherichia coli (E. coli) — a common bacteria that causes gut and urinary tract infections. They found that ibuprofen and acetaminophen significantly increased bacterial mutations, making E. coli highly resistant to the antibiotic.Most people are aware that overusing antibiotics themselves can lead to resistance. But what many don’t realize is that other medications, especially those we often think of as harmless – like ibuprofen and paracetamol – may also be quietly contributing to this problem.What is antibiotic resistance?Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious health challenges in the world today. It happens when bacteria evolve in ways that make antibiotics – the drugs we use to treat infections – less effective or completely useless. “As a result, common infections like urinary tract infections, pneumonia, or even cuts and wounds can become much harder, or even impossible, to treat,” says Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, internal medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi.What the study found“When bacteria were exposed to ciprofloxacin alongside ibuprofen and acetaminophen, they developed more genetic mutations than with the antibiotic alone, helping them grow faster and become highly resistant. Worryingly, the bacteria were not only resistant to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, but increased resistance was also observed to multiple other antibiotics from different classes,” said lead researcher UniSA’s Associate Professor Rietie Venter.Why OTC drugs may not be harmlessIbuprofen and paracetamol are two of the most widely used over-the-counter drugs in the world, taken for pain, fever, inflammation and headaches. “They’re considered safe and are a staple in most households. But despite their benefits, it now appears they have an unintended effect on the bacteria in our bodies. Our bodies are home to trillions of bacteria, some good, some bad. These bacteria are constantly interacting with everything we consume, including the medications we take,” explains Dr Chatterjee.The pills can put bacteria under stress, which sounds like a good thing – after all, stress can kill bacteria. “Not always. Sometimes, when bacteria are stressed, they activate survival mechanisms. This can include mutating or changing their structure so they can resist the effects of antibiotics in the future. Even more concerning is what happens when both ibuprofen and acetaminophen are taken together. This combination has an even stronger effect and may speed up the process by which bacteria become resistant,” says Dr Chatterjee.Story continues below this adThis study is a clear reminder that we need to carefully consider the risks of using multiple medications — particularly in aged care where residents are often prescribed a mix of long-term treatments. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared antimicrobial resistance as a global threat to public health, and that bacterial resistance was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019.© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd