Salt in 'Fizzy' Painkillers Linked with Heart Attack, Strokes

UK Researchers say that common painkillers- such as aspirin- need to indicate salt content on their labels. A latest study found that people taking sodium-containing 'fizzy' pills have increased cardiovascular events risk when compared to people taking non-effervescent versions of the same drug.

Many medications contain sodium, which is added to increase drug absorption in the body. The latest study, conducted by researchers at University of Dundee and University College, found that these pills could increase the levels of sodium in patients' bodies.

According to the researchers, sodium-containing medications should be prescribed only when "the perceived benefits outweigh the risks." Also, patients need to warned about potential dangers of high sodium intake from prescribed medicines," according to a statement published in bmj.

The study was based on data from 1.2 million people in the U.K. Researchers found that people taking sodium-containing fizzy pills had 16 percent higher risk of a heart attack or stroke when compared to people using fizz-less version of the same drug.

Patients taking sodium-containing pills also had a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. In total, early death rates were about 28 percent higher in this group.

"It is extraordinary to think that sodium has been hiding in our medicines all this time. Without clear labeling on these products, it is impossible to know how much additional sodium you would be eating, so it is shocking to find you could be having more than your daily maximum from medicines alone," said Gareth Beevers, of Blood Pressure UK, BBC reported.

The study is published in the journal bmj.

Institute of Medicine (IOM) had earlier said that reducing salt intake alone can save up to 100,000 lives annually in the U.S. IOM recommends a salt intake of less than 2,300 milligrams, that's about a teaspoon of table salt a day (including cooking and extra salt added to food).