Ibuprofen 'should not be sold over counter' after painkiller linked to cardiac arrest
Researchers warned it "should only be sold in pharmacies, in limited quantities and in low doses"
There are calls to ban Ibuprofen from being sold over the counter after researchers found it increased the risk of cardiac arrest by nearly a third.
The common painkiller is one of the most popular over-the-counter drugs in the UK and is currently available to buy in supermarkets and corner shops.
But that could soon become a thing of the past after researchers in Denmark found taking the drug was associated with a 31 per cent increased risk of heart failure.
Researchers in Denmark have claimed taking ibuprofen can lead to a 31 per cent increased risk of cardiac arrest
Heart expert Professor Gunnar Gislason, who led the study, has since called for tighter controls on all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Errors led to Bristol grandmother Carolyn Brock jumping to her death in Southmead Hospital
"Allowing these drugs to be purchased without a prescription, and without any advice or restrictions, sends a message to the public that they must be safe," he said.
"The findings are a stark reminder that NSAIDs are not harmless.
"Diclofenac and ibuprofen, both commonly used drugs, were associated with significantly increased risk of cardiac arrest.
"NSAIDs should be used with caution and for a valid indication. They should probably be avoided in patients with cardiovascular disease or many cardiovascular risk factors.
"I don't think these drugs should be sold in supermarkets or petrol stations where there is no professional advice on how to use them.
The research team believe common painkillers, like ibuprofen, should only be prescribed in pharmacies
"Over-the-counter NSAIDs should only be available at pharmacies, in limited quantities and in low doses."
Sales of over-the-counter painkillers amounted to almost £600million in the UK in 2015, according to The Pharmaceutical Journal.
The Danish investigators studied data on all patients who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the country between 2001 and 2010.
Nearly 3,000 people sign petition in favour of new supermarket in Lawrence Weston
For every patient, use of NSAIDs during the month before a cardiac arrest was compared with use in the 30 days leading up to that point.
Comparing the two periods for each individual eliminated the chances of chronic conditions swaying the end result.
Prof Gislason, from Copenhagen University Hospital, warned people not to take more than 1,200mg of Ibuprofen in one day.