Popping a pill for slight head and body ache is common but doctors warn if not taken with caution, these ubiquitous pills could kill you silently, writes Hema Singuluri

Paracetamol and Dolo are household names and from kids to adults pop them at will. Thought to be harmless and a quick fix for a variety of problems such as headache, body-ache low-grade fever, cough, cold, and migraine, these off-the counter available pills come at an affordable price but if taken regularly could take one to the grave. Termed ‘silent killers’ these medicines increase the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). According to a 2025 study, physicians across India reported a noticeable increase in CKD and concluded that the main reason was the frequent use of pain killers. Acetaminophen, sold commonly as paracetamol and Dolo, is also among the leading causes of drug-induced liver injury.

The routine use of common painkillers such as paracetamol, Dolo, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is steadily rising, and doctors are sounding a serious warning. What many people treat as harmless, over-the-counter relief is quietly turning into a major health threat, slowly damaging vital organs without obvious early signs.

Doctors in Hyderabad say many patients take painkillers almost daily, unaware of the cumulative damage. NSAIDs weaken the protective lining of the stomach and intestines, often leading to gastritis, ulcers and internal bleeding. Alarmingly, several patients discover the damage only after severe acidity attacks or vomiting blood. Misuse of these drugs has also been linked to breathing difficulties, rising blood pressure and a 10–15 per cent increase in the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Cardiologists across the country have increasingly flagged painkiller abuse as a contributing factor in cardiac emergencies during 2025.

Caution advised

Dr. Aarathi Bellary, Consultant in Internal Medicine at KIMS Hospitals, Kondapur, warns that both NSAIDs and steroid-based painkillers can cause serious harm when misused. “Many patients are given painkillers without first checking whether they are truly necessary,” she said.

She pointed to a worrying trend in both urban and rural areas, particularly the casual use of steroids for minor pain in rural populations. “This leads to serious side effects such as reduced bone strength and a higher risk of infections, especially in the elderly,” she explained. According to Dr. Bellary, organ damage often progresses silently. “There are very few early warning signs. Gastric problems do occur, but they are often masked because medical shops routinely give acid-suppressing tablets along with painkillers.”

Addiction

Doctors are also witnessing a growing behavioural dependence on painkillers. Dr. Bellary said she frequently encounters patients who take paracetamol or Dolo daily to avoid mild body aches or fatigue. “Painkillers should be taken only when the pain is severe and strictly on medical advice,” she stressed.

Elderly individuals with joint pain, IT professionals working long hours at computers, and people engaged in heavy physical labour are particularly vulnerable. Doctors underline that painkillers are not meant for regular headaches, migraines or routine body pain, warning that habitual use can cause irreversible damage—long before the body raises an alarm.