Why are anti inflammatory drugs bad for you

In addition, several of them are available over the counter and are included in combination with other medications. Examples include prescription drugs like Arthrotec a combination of the NSAID diclofenac and misoprostol, a medication that helps protect the stomach and products available on the drugstore shelf, like Advil PM ibuprofen plus the antihistamine diphenhydramine.

A new study finds that this may be a bigger problem than anyone realized. Among more than 1, people taking ibuprofen:. NSAIDs can be remarkably helpful medications, but they can cause trouble. The risk of serious side effects goes up when taken in higher than recommended doses. NSAIDs are also used to treat non-inflammatory conditions such as migraine , period pain and postoperative pain, and to reduce fever.

It can be used in low doses to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in high-risk patients. Prostaglandins are hormone-like chemicals in the body that contribute to inflammation, pain and fever by raising temperature and dilating blood vessels, which causes redness and swelling in the place they are released.

By reducing production of prostaglandins, NSAIDs help relieve the discomfort of fever and reduce inflammation and the associated pain.

While NSAIDs are effective in relieving pain, fever and inflammation, they can cause unwanted side effects. Gastrointestinal side effects such as indigestion , stomach upset including nausea or feeling sick or stomach pain are commonly caused by NSAIDs. Use of NSAIDs can also cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract gut.

NSAIDs with the exception of low-dose aspirin may also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, even in healthy people. In general, using NSAIDs occasionally rather than every day, and at the lowest dose possible, reduces your chances of developing serious side effects. Take paracetamol for mild to moderate pain and fever before a NSAID as it has fewer adverse effects, unless you have been advised otherwise by your health professional.

A topical NSAID cream, gel or ointment may provide enough relief from muscle and joint pain and inflammation, or relieve discomfort caused by strains or sprains. While NSAIDs can potentially cause many side effects — some of which may be serious or life-threatening — if prescribed under the right conditions and used as instructed, they can be of great benefit.

Risk factors include:. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the risk factors above before buying or taking an NSAID. Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining. Regular or heavy drinking of alcohol while taking NSAIDs may increase the risk of gastrointestinal damage or bleeding.

If you are taking another medicine, check with your health professional before taking a NSAID in case you might be at risk of unwanted effects. Some over-the-counter medicines contain NSAIDs, for example, pain relief medicines and some cough, cold and flu medicines.

Do not take more than one medicine containing an NSAID at the same time, unless your doctor recommends it. If you are taking any over-the-counter NSAIDs, tell your doctor or pharmacist, particularly if you are due to undergo surgery or are starting a new medicine. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. If your side effects are mild, you may be able to take another drug to lessen the effects. People with heart, kidney, or digestive conditions, and older people in general, are more likely to have a risk for side effects.

In general, discuss any diseases and all your medications and supplements with your doctor to rule out any possible adverse reactions with NSAIDs. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are drugs for mild to moderate pain. Learn how they compare. You can overdose on ibuprofen. Pain relief looks different for everyone.

These 5 chronic pain strategies are a good place to start. We all experience pain. Fortunately, there are many ways to manage pain, whether that means treating the source of the pain or coping with the pain…. A new study looking into adverse effects from medication use found that anticoagulants and diabetes agents send a significant amount of adults ages 65….

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Why they work 7 side effects Ask a doctor if When to consult a doctor or pharmacist. Long-term use side effects. Additional factors. Drug interactions.