What is the
most important information I should know about medicines called Non-Steroidal
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)?
NSAID
medicines may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to
death. This
chance increases:
with longer use of NSAID medicines
in people who have heart
disease
NSAID medicines should never be used
right before or after a heart surgery called a coronary artery bypass graft
(CABG). NSAID medicines can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and
intestines at any time during treatment.
Ulcers and
bleeding:
can happen without warning
symptoms
may cause
death
The chance of a person getting an
ulcer or bleeding increases with:
taking medicines called
corticosteroids and anticoagulants
longer use
smoking
drinking
alcohol
older age
having poor
health
NSAID medicines should only be
used:
exactly as
prescribed
at the lowest dose possible for
your treatment
for the shortest time
needed
What are Non-Steroidal
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)?
NSAID medicines are used to treat
pain and redness, swelling, and heat (inflammation) from medical conditions such
as:
different types of
arthritis
menstrual cramps and other types
of short-term pain
Who should not take a Non-Steroidal
Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)?
Do not take an NSAID
medicine:
if you had an asthma attack,
hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any
other
NSAID medicine
for pain right before or after
heart bypass surgery
Tell your healthcare
provider:
about all of your medical
conditions.
about all of the medicines you
take. NSAIDs and some other medicines can interact
with each other and cause serious
side effects.
Keep a list of your medicines to
show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.
if you are pregnant. NSAID medicines should not be used by
pregnant women
late in
their pregnancy.
if you are breastfeeding. Talk to your
doctor.
What are the possible side effects
of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)?
Serious side effects
include:
heart attack
stroke
high blood
pressure
heart failure from body swelling
(fluid retention)
kidney problems including kidney
failure
bleeding and ulcers in the stomach
and intestine
low red blood cells
(anemia)
life-threatening skin
reactions
life-threatening allergic
reactions
liver problems including liver
failure
asthma attacks in people who have
asthma
Other side effects
include:
stomach pain
constipation
diarrhea
gas
heartburn
nausea
vomiting
dizziness
Get emergency help right away if you
have any of the following symptoms:
shortness of breath or trouble
breathing
slurred
speech
chest pain
swelling of the face or
throat
weakness in one part or side of
your body
Stop your NSAID medicine and call
your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following
symptoms:
nausea
more tired or weaker than
usual
itching
there is blood in your bowel
movement or it is black and sticky like tar
your skin or eyes look yellow
unusual weight gain
stomach pain
flu-like
symptoms
skin rash or blisters with
fever
vomit blood
swelling of the arms and legs,
hands and feet
These are not all the side effects
with NSAID medicines. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more
information about NSAID medicines.
Other information about
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Aspirin is an NSAID medicine but
it does not increase the chance of a heart attack.
Aspirin can cause bleeding in the
brain, stomach, and intestines. Aspirin can also cause
ulcers in the stomach and
intestines.
Some of these NSAID medicines are
sold in lower doses without a prescription (over-thecounter). Talk to your
healthcare provider before using over-the-counter NSAIDs for more than 10
days.
NSAID medicines that need a
prescription
celecoxib
(Celebrex)
diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren,
Arthrotec (combined with misoprostol))
vicoprofen contains the same dose of
ibuprofen as over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs, and is
usually used for less than 10 days
to treat pain. The OTC NSAID label warns that long term
continuous use may increase the risk
of heart attack or stroke.
diflunisal
(Dolobid)
etodolac (Lodine, Lodine
XL)
fenoprofen (Nalfon, Nalfon
200)
flurbiprofen
(Ansaid)
ibuprofen (Motrin, Tab-Profen,
Vicoprofen (combined with hydrocodone))
Combunox (combined with
oxycodone)
indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin SR,
Indo-Lemmon, Indomethegan)
ketoprofen
(Oruvail)
ketorolac
(Toradol)
mefenamic acid
(Ponstel)
meloxicam
(Mobic)
nabumetone
(Relafen)
naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Anaprox
DS, EC-Naprosyn, Naprelan)
Naprapac (copackaged with
lansoprazole)
oxaprozin
(Daypro)
piroxicam
(Feldene)
sulindac
(Clinoril)
tolmetin (Tolectin, Tolectin DS,
Tolectin 600)
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