Painkillers Fuel Antibiotic Resistance Crisis.

In 2025, researchers from the University of South Australia, including Hanbiao Chen and Rietie Venter, tested common painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin on E. coli bacteria, a common cause of gut and urinary infections. They exposed bacteria to the drugs alone and together, measuring mutations that lead to resistance.

The painkillers not only boosted resistance on their own but made it far worse when mixed with antibiotics, increasing bacterial mutations by up to 300% in some cases. This is alarming for aged care, where people take multiple meds, creating ideal conditions for superbugs to thrive and spread.

Cut back on painkillers like Advil or Tylenol when on antibiotics—talk to your doctor first.