E04 | Health Investigation | Painkillers: Medicine or Poison?

Paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin… Painkillers are everywhere in our medicine cabinets. These treatments are so commonplace that we all too often forget the dangers they pose. First and foremost is paracetamol. Fourteen packets are sold every second in France. Often perceived as harmless, paracetamol is extremely toxic in the event of an overdose. For the 10 million French people who suffer from chronic pain, conventional painkillers are no longer sufficient, and it is often necessary to resort to painkillers derived from morphine and opium. The problem is that these medicines, such as Tramadol, can lead to serious addiction. Over the past ten years, the use of these medicines has risen sharply in France, causing concern amongst health authorities as these painkillers are wreaking havoc in the United States. Every day, 130 Americans die from an opioid-related overdose, which has become the leading cause of preventable death among people under the age of 50, far ahead of road traffic accidents and gun-related deaths. How should painkillers be used correctly to ensure they are effective? When should they be stopped? What are the risks of dependence?