Sydney PR queen, Roxy Jacenko, has spoken to Fairfax about her problem with painkillers – and more specifically, her overuse of Nurofen Plus.
In an article published online today, Roxy admits that she was “eating them by the handful” back in 2009 when she was under a great deal of work stress, occasionally consuming eight tablets at several different occasions throughout the day:
Roxy with her daughter, Pixie“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that you should consume pain relief according to the directions on the packet but, in this industry I’m in and the pressure that I’m under, I chose to be ignorant,” she said.
“I ignored the directions and just took it. Did I realise the damage I was doing to my innards? No, I didn’t. But I was fully aware I was taking a lot more than the prescribed dose.”
Roxy was forced to stop her painkiller habit when she wound up in hospital, due to the amount of damage she had caused to her stomach: “I have never, ever experienced pain anything like it.”
A fictionalised version of the event appeared in Roxy’s first book, Strictly Confidential. In the novel, publicist Jasmine Lewis is rushed to hospital after a stomach ulcer – caused by too much Nurofen – bursts.
Roxy has confirmed that she has stopped with her Nurofen habits after acknowledging that she was misusing it.
Just the other day, she put up an Instagram photo showing the addiction warning on a box of Nurofen with the caption: “@mazzycoote @1903oprc @doreenjacenko surely this can’t be an actual sticker – surely you lot stuck this on!?!? I am left for 3 days and now everything is labelled !!”
Recently, doctors and pharmacists have been calling for more strict control on any medications that contain codeine. Addiction is a major concern, as well as related health issues such as stomach ulcers.
Flick through some of the other images from Roxy’s Instagram:
Top Comments
Codeine is not related to stomach ulcers, but NSAIDs are (ibuprofen/nurofen, naproxen, diclofenac/voltaren, aspirin etc). NSAIDs can also cause renal failure when used incorrectly, for long periods or in people at risk (chronic kidney failure, diabetic). The potential for renal failure is quite worrying as it presents decades years after the damage from NSAIDs is done and users will not know until it is too late. Particular NSAIDs increase the risk of heart attacks also. NSAIDs are potentially dangerous drugs and you should not take them unless you really need to. Stick to paracetamol if possible, unless you have liver problems.
Codeine has addictive potential, and its main side effects are constipation and drowsiness.
so because she is famous she doesn't get called a junky or an addict??? tsk
As someone who has a health issue that requires anti inflammatories (yes I have a bad stomach ) I avoid taking opiates and even taking the anti inflammatories I am prescribed as these drugs do so much damage.
I think they should be a on a script only basis. I suppose people take them thinking ibuprofen won't damage the liver like panadol will when taken with nurofen-it will give you kidney failure though