The effect of commonly used non-antibiotic medications on antimicrobial resistance development in Escherichia coli

This study shows that some non-antibiotic medications (NAMs) commonly used in aged care facilities—especially ibuprofen and acetaminophen—can significantly increase ciprofloxacin resistance in E. coli. At gut-relevant concentrations, these drugs raised mutation rates and triggered resistance mechanisms, including efflux pump overexpression. Co-exposure to multiple NAMs amplified these effects. The findings highlight an overlooked role of NAMs in driving AMR and call for reassessing polypharmacy risks in residential aged care settings.