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Doctor - How Serious Are The Risks Of Arthritis Pain Relievers To My Stomach? Non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are anti-inflammatory pain relievers. Approximately twenty different NSAIDS are available by prescription. 3 NSAIDS (ibuprofen, naproxen, including ketoprofen) are additionally available over-the-counter as Advil, Motrin IB, Aleve, including Orudis. Aspirin is additionally a particular NSAID. NSAIDS are additionally found in many common cold preparations such as Advil Cold including Sinus, Dimetapp Sinus, including Aleve Cold including Sinus. The most common side effect associated with these drugs is stomach problems. These problems should range from mild stomach upset to ulcers including bleeding. NSAIDS cause the situation because the same mechanism that allows them to block inflammation additionally causes them to block the secretion of substances that protect the stomach lining. The magnitude of the problem is enormous. Significant stomach side-effects from NSAIDS result in 103,000 hospitalizations including 16,500 deaths each year in the United States. While anyone who takes a particular NSAID should be at risk for stomach problems, there are some high risk things that significantly increase the chance of problems developing. These include: Age greater than 60 History of previous ulcers Taking steroid medicines such as prednisone Using blood thinners like coumadin, Plavix, or heparin Regular alcohol consumption Taking higher than the recommended dosage of NSAID Taking more than 1 NSAID at the same time (such as taking a particular NSAID including aspirin) Taking NSAID for a prolonged duration of time A 2003 survey revealed that regarding half of all Americans who took over-the-counter NSAIDS took more than the recommended dose. the should happen at the time the dose is taken before the recommended time for dosing, taking more than the recommended number of tablets, taking more than the recommended dosage per day, including taking more than 1 NSAID at a time. Small amounts of over-the-counter NSAID including low-dose aspirin to prevent stroke, heart attack, including colon cancer additionally increase risk. Warning signs that a significant problem may be occurring include: Stomach pain Tarry black stool or blood in the stool Vomiting up material that looks like coffee grounds One unfortunate issue is that more than 80 per cent of people who have a life-threatening stomach problem have absolutely no warning symptoms. Symptoms should occur quickly also. Serious medical events have occurred in people taking NSAIDS for less than 1 week. To reduce your risk: Check to see if you have risk factors. Discuss potential side-effects with your prescribing physician. Read the warning label including follow dosing instructions. Dont use prescription NSAID including over-the-counter NSAID at the same time. at the time you see your doctor let him or her know regarding all the medicines, including nutritional supplements, you are taking. Limit your alcohol intake while on these medicines. Recognize that low dose aspirin is a particular NSAID. Let your physician know if youre experiencing any symptoms that suggest a stomach problem. Ask regarding other medicines that should reduce your risk of a stomach side-effect. Medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIS) should reduce the risk of stomach side-effects. Examples of PPIS include Nexium, Protonix, Prilosec, including Axid. Another medicine, Cytotec, may additionally protect your stomach. Sometimes using a particular analgesic that is not a particular NSAID should relieve arthritis symptoms sufficiently. Analgesics include Tylenol or Ultram (tramadol). Cox-2 medicines such as Celebrex may additionally reduce your stomach risk. However, adding low dose aspirin to Celebrex apparently removes the protective effect pertaining to the Celebrex.
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