Common painkillers may dilute the powers of vaccines against influenza

Thanks to vaccination against influenza prevents season in full swing, research at the University of Rochester Medical Center in May that share many painkillers - Advil, Tylenol, aspirin - at the time of injection, the effect of making foam and have a negative effect on the immune system. Richard P. Phipps, Ph.D., professor of environmental medicine, microbiology and immunology, and pediatrics, has studied this issue for years and recently published his latest findings at an international conference on inflammatory diseases. (http://bioactivelipidsconf.wayne.edu/)

"What we have to say that all together, and it should be noted also that the connected probably not a good idea of common over-the-counter pain relievers for minor complaints of the vaccine," said Phipps. "We have this issue with the help of viral particles, live virus, and examined different types of painkillers, in samples of human blood and in mice - and our research shows that pain does not interfere with the effect of the vaccine. "

A study conducted by researchers from the Czech Republic has reported similar findings in the October 17, 2009, issue of The Lancet. They found that giving paracetamol, the active ingredient in Tylenol Infant weakens the immune response to vaccine.

Search Phipps examined whether the production of antibodies to a cell culture system using Blunt over-the-counter pain relievers. He noted that a range of analgesics - even Tylenol and Advil have different ingredients seemed - for the production of antibodies needed to extend protection against the disease.

Many of the pain in question as the NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which act in part by blocking the cyclo-oxygenase-2 Classification (COX-2) enzyme. Blocking COX-2 enzyme is not a good idea, but in the context of vaccination, since the enzyme COX-2 is required for optimal production of B-lymphocytes.

Therefore, if a person takes a drug to reduce pain and fever, he could reduce it by mistake or the ability of B cells, antibodies.

Phipps and his colleagues have also shown that the timing of administration of drugs against pain is also important, the study published earlier this year in the journal "Cellular Immunology

They exposed human cells and mice, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin and naproxen (Aleve) in amounts comparable to prevent frequently with doses of millions of Americans every day to prevent or pain fever or arthritis or heart attack and treatment of stroke.

Treatment during the early stages of infection - or would occur when the first signs of pain, swelling, redness or fever had - adverse effects on the immune system, presented the study.

The link between NSAIDs and antibody production is still actively pursued. Phipps said that researchers believe that ibuprofen, particularly lymphocytes, affected the "ability to produce antibodies.

See In the meantime, until a complete clinical study, a clearer picture, Phipps calls to regular users of NSAIDs to be aware of risks.

"NSAIDs are one of the drugs most commonly used, they are recommended for all age groups, required for the temporary relief of pain or in cases of severe inflammatory disease," said Phipps. "In reducing the synthesis of antibodies, NSAIDs also have the ability of the immune system, which has serious consequences for children, the elderly and the immuno-compromised patients may have to weaken to. "