Aspirin & other Pain Killers’ Effects on Muscle Growth
November 1st, 2007A few years ago, research started coming out about the effects of common OTC painkillers effects on muscle growth. If you are new to bodybuilding in recent years, you may have missed the big news when it first came out. Many bodybuilders take them to relieve muscle soreness (DOMS) from weight training or some other ailment and don’t know about this side effect. This is also important to know because many fat burning supplements, such as hydroxycut hardcore, put willow bark ( natural form of aspirin ) in it. Acetaminophen ( Tylenol ) and the class of drugs called ( NSAIDS ), which includes the OTC painkillers, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen ( Alleve ), all have an effect on protein synthesis.
Studies on painkiller effects on protein synthesis:
One of the first studies to come out was published in
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Oct;86(10):5067-70. It was done on 24 males to either receive ibuprofen, acetaminophen or a control after resistance excercise workout (10 - 14 sets). It showed that acetaminophen and ibuprofen had an impact on prostoglandins (in equal degree). Researchers concluded this impact on prostoglandins could have a big impact on muscle growth.
One year later, these same researchers published (Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Mar;282(3):E551-6.) measuring protein synthesis after resistance workout. The study was done on 24 males who either took acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or control. Results showed that the placebo group had 75% higher protein synthesis at the skeletal muscle than the ibuprofen or acetaminophen group. These painkillers didn’t effect overall body breakdown, but did effect protein synthesis at the muscle.
Aspirin also has a effect on decreasing protein synthesis. (source: J Biol Chem. 2007 Apr;282(14):10164-71. Epub 2007 Feb 6.)
Most of the older studies discuss protein synthesis, but a more
recent study published in (Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006 May;38(5):840-6.) compared overloading a rat muscle with or without ibuprofen on actual muscle growth. Results showed reduced muscle hypertrophy (muscle growth) by 50% in rats from ibuprofen with overload vs. overload only.
As you can see these were not minor changes in protein synthesis. Even occasional use will have a significant impact on muscle growth.
What about those gels? They will reach the blood stream somewhat but I guess their effect is more local, will they affect the whole body or only the muscles you put them on?
Thanks for your question. I’m not sure which gel you are talking about, but the stopping of protein synthesis is only for pain killers such as tylenol and aspirin. The pain killers seem to stop the inflammatory response of prostoglandins locally, so therefore these pain reliever through a localized gel would probably only affect the muscle you apply it to. There is always going to be some systemic leakage into the bodies circulation with any kind of topical solution, but probably not a lot.
i just started going to the gym a few days ago and have the serious joint pains. cant even raise my arms to my face let alone put food in my mouth.
was wondering if there were any drugi can take to relief my pain..
Tyus you probably don’t have an injury, if your new to the gym and you have a big workout you can get pretty sore and stiff. As you go to the gym regularly in the future, you won’t experience that muscle soreness and stiffness in the joints. If you want to take asprin or something else over the counter to alleviate the pain that is up to you.
what about opiate painkillers? I am prescribed for an old injury but if they are negatively affecting my ability to build i think i’d prefer the pain.
Opiates actually might be beneficial for muscle building for other reason. I’m not advocating their use though, but here is one reason why I think that may be the case, read this:
http://www.bodybuildingweb.net/blog/imodium-loperamide-a-cortisol-blocker/
Imodium (loperamide) is an opiate, so thats why im referring you to reading that.
I am currently taking many painkillers for a problem with my lower back. i am able to train to a certain level, however my muscles are waisting. Is this because of my medication. dyclophenic, dihydrocodiene, amytriptaline, diazapam… I have no energy and burn out really quickly. iu have searched the web for answers but have not been able to find any answers
The drugs you mentioned are opiates. There is no research yet that I can find on whether opiates effect on protein synthesis (muscle growth). The only thing I know is that one type of opiate (as mentioned in the previous comment) has a positive impact on cortisol levels. But I don’t know if opiates actually decrease protein synthesis or if any other opiates decrease cortisol levels too.
Hi Admin,
Only one of the medicines John mentioned are opiates (dihydrocodiene) the others are an asprin like NSAID (Diclofenac) and muscle relaxants/mood stabilisers.
HTH
S
You are right Simon. Thanks for the correction. I meant to say some of them are opiates.