Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly known as “NSAIDs” (n-said), are widely used and inexpensive medications. They are called “non-steroidal” because they are in a different class of drugs than corticosteroid drugs, such as prednisone, which are sometimes used to treat inflammation.
NSAIDs can reduce pain, fever, and inflammation and are therefore useful in treating many conditions that cause these problems. They also do not carry the risk of addiction that some other medications used to treat pain, such as opioids such as Vicodin (hydrocodone), do.
Many different NSAIDs are available over the counter and are sometimes used with other types of medications. Some other NSAIDs are available by prescription. NSAIDs are most often taken in tablet form, but some are taken as creams or other medications.
NSAIDs are a group of drugs that block the action of COX (cyclooxygenase) enzymes. These enzymes often help trigger many different processes in the body that lead to pain, fever, and inflammation. By blocking COX enzymes, NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation in the body.
However, COX enzymes often perform other functions. They help protect the kidneys and stomach lining and also play a role in normal blood clotting. These unexpected properties may lead to some of the side effects and risks associated with NSAIDs.
NSAIDs are often first-line pain medications. Many potential uses of NSAIDs include:
Pain relief from NSAIDs usually occurs fairly quickly (ie, within an hour or so). However, for chronic conditions, you may need to take it for several days to see the full effect.
In addition, a special NSAID, aspirin, is sometimes used in low doses to prevent cardiovascular disease, stroke and related problems in high-risk groups.
People have been using NSAIDs such as aspirin for over a hundred years. Like other NSAIDs, they are used to reduce pain, inflammation and fever.
However, aspirin also has special uses. Aspirin and related drugs block one COX enzyme (COX 1) more strongly than another (COX 2).
Because of its slightly different properties, doctors sometimes prescribe aspirin to reduce blood clotting. This can be very helpful in reducing the number of strokes or heart attacks in high-risk groups. However, if medications are prescribed for this purpose, the dose you receive will be lower than what is used to relieve pain.
There are some differences in the chemical structure of this group of drugs, but there are also many similarities. They tend to block both versions of the COX enzyme, although some block relatively more COX1 or COX2. They are not used to prevent blood clots, as aspirin is sometimes used.
Sometimes these NSAIDs are sold together with other types of medications. For example, an NSAID can be used with a decongestant in the same product.
In an attempt to reduce some of the potential risks and side effects of NSAIDs, researchers have developed NSAIDs that block the COX-2 enzyme to a much greater extent than the COX-1 enzyme. Currently, Celebrex (celecoxib) is the only FDA-approved NSAID on the market.
COX-2 inhibitors are intended to reduce side effects such as stomach irritation. NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, may make sense for people with stomach ulcers or bleeding anywhere in the digestive tract.
However, some studies suggest that these NSAIDs may increase the risk of heart disease or stroke more than other NSAIDs. However, not all studies prove this, so this topic is constantly evolving.
Over-the-counter Tylenol (acetaminophen) works differently than NSAIDs. It reduces pain but does not affect inflammation. This may be an important option for people who cannot safely take NSAIDs, but it comes with its own risks.
People often use NSAIDs as needed to relieve pain or fever. For example, you may take an NSAID for several days in a row for muscle strain, perhaps three times a day or so, depending on the NSAID. Each NSAID has a limit on how much and how often you can safely take it daily.
Always consult your doctor if you need to take NSAIDs for more than one day in a row. Some people take it long term, but you need to weigh the risks and benefits based on your specific situation.
NSAIDs are most often taken in tablet form. However, they can also be swallowed in liquid form, which may be convenient for children. NSAID suppositories may also be useful in certain situations, such as in young children.
NSAID creams or patches often help with problems such as muscle pain because they can be applied to the skin of the affected area. This may help reduce the risk of side effects from NSAIDs because you may get pain relief at a lower dose.
Sometimes it makes sense to give an NSAID into a vein intravenously, which can be useful if a person needs faster pain relief. Most often this
is done in an inpatient (hospital) setting.
Although many NSAIDs are available without a prescription, these medications carry the risk of potentially serious side effects. The risk is greatest in people who take higher doses for longer periods of time and in people with underlying medical conditions.
To minimize the risk, take NSAIDs at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Follow the directions on the bottle (and your healthcare provider’s directions) to ensure you do not exceed the maximum daily dose.
NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation and ulcers. They can also cause gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be life-threatening in severe cases. If you have anemia, which is characterized by low levels of red blood cells, you are more likely to experience symptoms.
In contrast, NSAIDs in the aspirin group were most likely to cause bleeding. Aproxen has a higher risk than ibuprofen, while COX-2 inhibitors have the lowest risk of bleeding. However, even COX-2 inhibitors may increase the overall risk.
Aspirin also stops bleeding longer than NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Even after taking aspirin for several days, it may still increase the risk of bleeding.
All NSAIDs increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. They may also increase the risk of heart failure, a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body.
One confusing exception is low-dose aspirin, which may help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in high-risk people. However, you should not take aspirin for this purpose without discussing it with your doctor. For many people, the risks associated with aspirin, especially the risk of bleeding, do not make it a good choice.
NSAIDs can cause a variety of kidney problems, including sudden kidney failure. However, for people without underlying kidney disease, these risks are very low.
Liver problems are also possible, although these are less common than kidney damage. Taking aspirin to children can cause a rare form of liver damage called Reye’s syndrome. This is why aspirin is not recommended for children.
If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of your throat, call 911 immediately and get help.
Reducing the risk of complications from NSAID use requires some additional considerations.
On average, older adults are at higher risk of serious side effects from NSAIDs. This is partly due to changes in physiology as we age, and partly due to taking more medications than average.
For example, a 70-year-old person has a much higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or heart attack from taking NSAIDs than a 40-year-old person. Therefore, in general, these groups are at greater risk of using NSAIDs.
It is also important for people with certain medical conditions to avoid taking NSAIDs if possible. For example, people with chronic kidney disease often need to avoid taking NSAIDs, especially if they have advanced disease.
Sometimes health care providers use blood tests to routinely monitor for potential side effects. This may make sense if you are at higher risk of NSAID side effects or have been taking NSAIDs for a long time. For example, you may need to be tested for anemia or have your kidney and liver function checked.
To reduce the risk of bleeding and stomach irritation, health care providers often prescribe another type of medication called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for people who need to take NSAIDs. PPIs reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach. PPIs such as omeprazole may make NSAIDs safer for some people.
If you are planning to have a medical procedure or surgery, discuss taking NSAIDs with your doctor beforehand. You may need to stop taking NSAIDs some time before surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.
It is important to talk with your doctor about all the medications you take, including over-the-counter medications such as NSAIDs. If you experience stomach upset or other mild symptoms associated with taking NSAIDs, you can discuss other options at your follow-up appointment.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms such as bloody or tarry stools, rash, swelling of the legs, decreased urination, or yellowing of the skin.
NSAIDs are a widely used class of medications that reduce pain, inflammation, and fever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, celecoxib, and other drugs, many of which are available without a prescription.
However, caution should be exercised when using NSAIDs. Some people cannot use them safely because of an increased risk of bleeding, kidney problems, heart problems, or other
problems. Your daily dose should not exceed the recommended dose listed on the label.
Low-dose aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat some people at extremely high risk of heart attack, but it is not suitable for everyone. NSAIDs with COX-2 inhibitors (called celecoxib) may be a good choice for people with an increased risk of bleeding.
Because of the risks associated with NSAIDs, you shouldn’t use them every day unless you’ve talked to your doctor. For some people, it may make sense to take an NSAID daily if it is the best treatment option for a condition such as arthritis. However, for others it is not a safe option.
In short, yes, all NSAIDs are painkillers. However, NSAIDs also have other properties, such as reducing inflammation. In addition, doctors sometimes prescribe low-dose aspirin not to relieve pain but to reduce the risk of heart attack in some high-risk people.
Recommends avoiding NSAIDs if you are 20 weeks or more pregnant. This comes with potential risks to the developing fetus, such as rare kidney problems. Non-NSAID pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be a safer choice.
When used correctly, NSAIDs are generally safe for young people without serious health problems. However, older people or people with underlying health problems are more likely to develop other underlying problems, such as kidney damage and heart disease.
Post time: Jul-24-2024