Swedes overusing painkillers, pharmacists warn

A new survey reveals that one in five Swedish women take over-the-counter painkillers weekly, with half using them multiple times per week, SVT Nyheter reports. Pharmacists are now warning that excessive use may lead to medication-overuse headaches and other health risks.

The study, conducted by research firm Verian on behalf of pharmacy chain Apotek Hjärtat, found that 15 percent of Swedes take non-prescription pain relievers every week. Women are significantly more likely to use them than men, with 20 percent of women reporting weekly use compared to just 4 percent of men taking them multiple times per week.

Chief pharmacist Annika Svedberg expressed concern over the casual use of painkillers, noting that many people underestimate their risks. “It seems people don’t view over-the-counter medications as dangerous, but they are still drugs with side effects,” she told SVT.

The survey also highlighted a trend among younger adults (18–29) of using painkillers preventively. Twenty-seven percent of young women and 25 percent of young men take them to ward off headaches, while 12 percent use them to prevent hangovers. Svedberg warned that combining painkillers like paracetamol with alcohol can damage the liver, and that using them to prevent muscle soreness after exercise may actually hinder recovery.

Long-term overuse of anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (sold as Ipren or Treo in Sweden) can increase the risk of stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, and strain on the kidneys and liver. Svedberg also noted that frequent use—more than 15 tablets per month—can paradoxically cause headaches.

The survey of over 4,200 people also found that 8 percent of Swedes have used over-the-counter painkillers as a sleep aid in the past three years, rising to 10 percent among women.