Over-the-counter painkillers including acetaminophen and ibuprofen could be quietly contributing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

This phenomena—in which microorganisms develop the ability to withstand the drugs we use to kill them and treat infections—represents an evolving global health problem.

According to the first-of-its-kind study, the common medications may not only be promoting AMR when used individually, but have an amplified effect when used together.

Researchers at the University of South Australia assessed the interaction of non-antibiotic medications; the broad-spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which is used to treat common skin, gut and urinary tract infections; and Escherichia coli ( E. coli )—a common bacteria that causes gut and urinary tract infections.

They d

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