Overview

• A peer‑reviewed University of South Australia study published in npj Antimicrobials and Resistance reported that exposing E. coli to ciprofloxacin with ibuprofen and paracetamol produced more mutations and high‑level resistance than the antibiotic alone.
• Both analgesics increased resistance individually, with a markedly larger effect observed when the two were used together.
• Genetic findings showed activation of bacterial defense systems that expel antibiotics, lowering drug efficacy and contributing to cross‑resistance across multiple classes.
• The team evaluated nine medicines commonly used in elder care, underscoring concerns that polypharmacy may compound antimicrobial resistance risks.
• The authors call for heightened awareness of drug interactions and further clinical and epidemiological studies rather than stopping use of these over‑the‑counter medicines.