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A lot of us take painkillers and antibiotics together to heal from an infection or injury. However, new research now shows that the standard pain medication ibuprofen, which is used with an antibiotic, leads to genetic alterations in bacteria that generate antibiotic resistance. The University of South Australia conducted a research showing that ibuprofen administered with ciprofloxacin antibiotic, triggers bacterial cells to create additional genetic alterations. The mutations developed by bacteria result in enhanced speed of bacterial growth alongside elevated resistance, that extends to multiple antibiotic drugs. The research discovery shows how commonly used painkillers may contribute to the growth of antibiotic resistance which represents a global healthcare emergency. Let's dip deeper...

What the study found
Scientists investigated the impact of ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) as well as other common medications on ciprofloxacin antibiotics, which treat skin infections, gut and urinary infections. Bacterial genetic mutations became more pronounced in the presence of both ibuprofen and ciprofloxacin, compared to ciprofloxacin exposure alone. The mutations triggered bacterial defense systems to function, and remove antibiotics which reduced their therapeutic effect. Because of this, bacteria developed dual resistance because they became immune to ciprofloxacin, and other different antibiotic classes.


Why this matters
Medical experts forecast that antibiotic resistance will cause numerous deaths worldwide up to 2050. The conventional understanding points to antibiotic overuse and misuse as the leading reason behind this problem. The study demonstrates that medication classes beyond antibiotics such as painkillers including ibuprofen, also play a role in creating antibiotic resistance. Lead researcher UniSA’s Associate Professor Rietie Venter says, “This is especially prevalent in residential aged care facilities, where older people are more likely to be prescribed multiple medications – not just antibiotics, but also drugs for pain, sleep, or blood pressure – making it an ideal breeding ground for gut bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics."

How Ibuprofen affects bacteria
Ibuprofen serves both as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory drug, but research reveals it also influences bacteria in unanticipated ways. Bacterial DNA mutation rates increased when exposed to ibuprofen, and the drug activated efflux pump functions according to the study results. The efflux pumps of bacteria function as removal agents for antibiotics, thus causing the antibiotics to lose their effectiveness. The dual treatment of ibuprofen with ciprofloxacin produced bacteria that exhibited enhanced resistance, while their growth rate increased thus complicating the treatment of bacterial infections.

Broader drug interactions and resistance
The researchers studied the common medications metformin used for diabetes treatment and atorvastatin, which treats cholesterol levels. Researchers discovered that both non-antibiotic medications and antibiotics created increased bacterial mutation rates, and antibiotic resistance when taken together. The study demonstrates how various drugs that patients take together produce complicated interactions, which become more problematic for chronic illness patients who take multiple medications at once.


The risk factors
However, this research does not mean that these medications should be completely stopped. The research demonstrates that we need to handle these medications with increased caution, especially during antibiotic administration. Medical staff together with their patients need to monitor potential drug interactions. and researchers should investigate multiple drug effects on antibiotic performance during prolonged medical treatments. “This study is a clear reminder that we need to carefully consider the risks of using multiple medications – particularly in aged care, where residents are often prescribed a mix of long-term treatments, " says Assoc Prof Venter.

References
Common Painkillers Like Ibuprofen Could Be Fueling a Global Health Threat
https://scitechdaily.com/common-painkillers-like-ibuprofen-could-be-fueling-a-global-health-threat/

Ibuprofen and Antibiotic Drug Interactions (Consensus App, 2018)
https://consensus.app/questions/ibuprofen-and-antibiotic-drug-interactions/

Ibuprofen and Antibiotic Drug Interactions (Consensus App, 2018)
https://consensus.app/questions/ibuprofen-and-antibiotic-drug-interactions/

Painkillers May Boost Antibiotic Resistance, Study Shows (Medstown, 2025)
https://www.medstown.com/painkillers-may-boost-antibiotic-resistance-study-shows/

Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen Linked to Rising Antibiotic Resistance (Medical Dialogues, 2025)
https://health.medicaldialogues.in/health/ibuprofen-acetaminophen-linked-to-rising-antibiotic-resistance-study-finds-154107

Common Painkillers Quietly Fueling Antibiotic Resistance (Newsweek, 2025)
https://www.newsweek.com/painkillers-acetaminophen-ibuprofen-antibiotic-resistance-amr-2119309

The effect of commonly used non-antibiotic medications on antibiotic resistance (Nature, 2025)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44259-025-00144-w

Synergistic Antimicrobial Effects of Ibuprofen Combined with Antibiotics (PMC, 2023)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10669699/

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice

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