A review of pain relievers has found that some are safer than others. For instance, a widely-used medicine may carry as much risk of heart disease as Vioxx, an arthritis drug taken off the market two years ago.

Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID has been around for decades and is widely prescribed throughout the world, particularly in Europe. Common doses were found to increase the risk of "cardiovascular events", primarily heart attack or sudden death by as much as 40%.

David Graham, a safety official at the US Food and Drug Administration told Asia News International, ""European consumers would be better off switching [from diclofenac] to naproxen." Naproxen was found to have no affects on cardiac risk.

Patricia McGettigan of the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia, and David Henry of Newcastle Mater Hospital in Waratah, New South Wales - authors of the study - have requested for the "regulatory status" of diclofenac, also known under the trade names of Voltaren, Cataflam, Solaraze and Arthrotec.

The study also finds that Celebrex (celecoxib) does not harm the heart at its usual dose of 200mg. However, it is unsafe at doses of 400mg or more.

The study is published in the journal, JAMA.