Why are pain relievers so bad all of a sudden?

We've been taking these medicines for years. Why make a big deal about it now?

They've always been bad, the drug companies just suppressed the information. 1999 study suggested 16k deaths from NSAIDs alone, that is almost as many as murders.

I think it is because so many people are abusing them.

Pain killers are bad when people abuse them..Pain killers are wonderful meds to help you through pain,but people are abusing them these days,and taking them for highs...Vicodin is selling on the streets now for $ 5.00 and 10.00 a pill, so thats why!

part of is because the longer a drug (or any product) is on the market, the more extensive research there is available about the product, including information on results of long term use.

also, I think people in general are trying to become more informed about all there is to know about medications they use

the more informed we all are about medications and the various adverse affects they may have, the safer it becomes for people to use them when used as directed.

They are not only medicices, They are a drug. They are very easily addictive.

Because people are abusing them without knowing!!!!!!!!!!! could be causeing liver damage and bleeding stomachs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

do we do studies on how many people die crossing the street? if we did that would be banned or swimming? banned, driving- banded. life is a risky business and peter needs to stop with the conspiracy theories and grow up.

You're just hearing about it now. Any medical practictioner who prescribe pain medications (any medication for that matter) should be as well versed in their drugs of choice as possible and inform their patients of possible complications and risk factors. With prescription pain medications, almost all are narcotics and carry a high risk of addiction. We've been aware of this for years but it seem that the media has just decided this is worth reporting.

they aren't bad.. but drs are afraid of prescribing them now days because of the DEA. They now watch to see how often drs prescribe them and many drs have lost their license to practice because of it.

So even the people who really need these meds are having to deal with daily pain and no help because of the abusers of these meds!