A common painkiller can increase the risk of heart failure in older people, according to a major new study. It has sparked calls for doctors to be more cautious when offering the widely-prescribed drug to patients with a history of heart disease.

The research, led by Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, showed that pregabalin was associated with a 48% increased risk of heart failure. The scientists examined the records of 246,237 Medicare patients aged between 65 and 89 over a four-year period. None of them had previously been diagnosed with heart failure.

As reported by the Daily Record, 1,470 of the participants were taken to hospital with heart failure during the study. According to the researchers, there were around six additional cases each year for every 1,000 people taking pregabalin compared with those not taking the drug.

Heart failure is a condition where the heart can’t pump enough blood around the body. It can lead to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body.

The latest findings on pregabalin support advice from the European Medicines Agency. The researchers explained: “Doctors should consider the cardiovascular risks of pregabalin, particularly for older or vulnerable patients.”

The NHS says pregabalin is only available on prescription and is often used for epilepsy. It can also be taken to help with pain or anxiety, and is taken two or three times a day.

The NHS adds: “Pregabalin is only suitable for adults. It might not be suitable for people older than 65. Do not give it to children under 18. Pregabalin is not suitable for some people.”

The painkiller can cause side effects such as headaches, diarrhoea, nausea, blurred vision and memory problems. It can also trigger a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

While there is no cure for heart failure, it is important to spot the symptoms as early as possible. They include shortness of breath, fatigue, leg swelling, a persistent cough, rapid or irregular heartbeat, dizziness and fainting.