“There are topical NSAIDs, such as diclofenac, that may be helpful for localized arthritic pain,” Dr. If your doctor determines you shouldn’t take oral NSAIDs, he or she may recommend other therapies for pain relief. Other medications that may increase your risk of bleeding when taken with NSAIDs include low-dose aspirin (often taken for cardiovascular protection), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac and Paxil, and glucocorticoids. “Anyone who is on blood thinners or will be undergoing surgery may need to avoid these medications as well,” he adds, because the risk of life-threatening bleeding is significantly higher. “Typically, if someone has a history of peptic ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, or Barrett’s esophagus, NSAIDs should be avoided,” Dr. Needless to say, she no longer takes NSAIDs.Īssessing Your Likelihood of Developing GI Side Effects from NSAIDsįor some arthritis patients, NSAIDs may not be an option because of other health issues. “I felt very weak for a long time, and I missed about a month of work,” she says. Boyd had to undergo surgery to cauterize the bleeding and went home a few days later, but returned to the hospital shortly after for treatment with IV medications because she was still bleeding. A few days later, she began vomiting blood and ended up back in the hospital, where doctors discovered the real cause of her symptoms. She was bleeding internally, but unfortunately, doctors missed the diagnosis. “After a couple days, I asked my husband to take me to the emergency room because the pain was so bad that I felt like I was being stabbed,” Boyd recalls. On Thanksgiving 2012, she developed terrible stomach cramps and saw blood in her stool. Boyd, who has rheumatoid arthritis, had taken several NSAIDs over the course of 25 years to manage her RA pain and inflammation. Bhana says: “Excluding Celebrex, the dosage and frequency are of more concern than the particular NSAID used.”ĭuration likely played a role in CreakyJoints community member Kelly Boyd’s frightening experience with NSAIDs. That said, the specific NSAID you take isn’t the most important concern, Dr.
#TOO MUCH IBUPROFEN SIDE EFFECTS OF TAKING HOW TO#
Read more about how to pick the right NSAID for your needs here. So are there any NSAIDs that block COX-1 and COX-2 that are milder on the stomach than others? Studies have found that ibuprofen and meloxicam may be less likely to bother your stomach, while ketorolac, aspirin, and indomethacin are associated with a higher risk of GI problems. However, Celebrex is more expensive, and it may have more cardiovascular side effects than other NSAIDs. The incidence of GI side effects is lower compared to other NSAIDs, Dr. Celebrex (celexicob) - that blocks only COX-2. There is currently one NSAID approved in the U.S. In extreme cases, patients may develop ulcers and life-threatening internal bleeding. Taking NSAIDs that block COX-1 can lead to GI side effects such as abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. COX-1 plays an important role in protecting the lining of the stomach. However, prostaglandins also have positive effects on the body, so blocking COX enzymes can have unwanted effects.
Most NSAIDs do this by blocking COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, which are used to make prostaglandins. NSAID medications work by decreasing the production of chemicals called prostaglandins, which contribute to pain and inflammation in the body.
How NSAIDs Affect Your Gastrointestinal System Bhana explains why these gastrointestinal side effects from NSAIDs occur, who’s at the greatest risk of developing them, and what you can do to protect yourself. “That said, nearly all NSAIDs can cause GI side effects, so ideally patients should take the lowest possible tolerable dose as infrequently as possible.”īelow, Dr. “Over-the counter and prescription NSAIDs are generally well-tolerated when used as instructed,” says Suleman Bhana, MD, FACR, a rheumatologist at Crystal Run Healthcare in Middletown, New York. Perhaps their most commonly known - and potentially dangerous - side effect is irritation of the stomach lining, which protects the stomach from the acid it produces to help digest your food. But like any medication, NSAIDs aren’t risk-free. For many arthritis patients, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can play a big role in relieving pain and inflammation and improving quality of life.
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