If you’re dealing with mild pain at home, there’s a good chance you already have several over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications stocked in your medicine cabinet. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motorin), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin (Bayer or Ecotrin) are common painkillers that belong to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
While NSAIDs can certainly help relieve mild pain and calm inflammation, they are not suitable for everyone. For people with pre-existing health conditions, there are some risks and important side effects to consider. Here’s what experts need to know about using NSAIDs.
What are NSAIDs?
NSAIDs are a class of drugs that target aches, pains, and inflammatory processes in the body, explains David Mangan, chief pharmaceutical officer at Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center. Taking NSAIDs can relieve discomfort such as fever, muscle pain, back pain, toothache, menstrual pain, headaches, tendonitis, and bursitis. Dr. Anuret WaliaMD, pain management specialist.
NSAIDs work by reducing the production of prostaglandins in the body, Walia says. prostaglandin A lipid with hormone-like properties. According to the Cleveland Clinic, they play an important role in several important processes in the body, including inflammation and pain perception. Taking NSAIDs also reduces inflammation, pain, and fever by reducing the production of prostaglandins, Walia explains.
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What are the most powerful anti-inflammatory drugs?
According to Walia, naproxen is considered to be the most powerful anti-inflammatory drug available over the counter. However, this does not mean that other over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs are less effective at reducing inflammation. The only difference is the duration of action. Naproxen is a long-acting drug that only needs to be taken twice a day. “So it may be more useful for long-term pain management,” Walia explains. By comparison, ibuprofen works faster than naproxen. However, she says that ibuprofen’s effects wear off quickly, so you need to take it more frequently throughout the day.
Patients with pain that is not adequately covered by OTC medications may benefit from prescription-grade NSAIDs, Mangan said. “Prescription NSAIDs typically have the same mechanism of action as OTC NSAIDs, but they are often more potent and may be formulated and dosed differently,” Walia says. Common examples include celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), and meloxicam (Mobic), Walia says.
What are the risks of NSAIDs?
Possible side effects of taking NSAIDs include gastrointestinal problems (such as inflammation, ulcers, bleeding), increased risk of heart attack or stroke, decreased kidney function, increased blood pressure, and allergic reactions (such as rashes, rashes). (itching, difficulty breathing, etc.), Walia said.
more:How often to take ibuprofen: Here’s how much Advil you can (and should) take in a day.
Because of the risks associated with NSAIDs, people with kidney problems or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding should avoid taking them, Mangan says. According to Cleveland, you should also: Avoid taking NSAIDs If you are pregnant or have a history of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, stomach ulcers, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, uncontrolled diabetes, chronic acid reflux (GERD), high blood pressure, or liver disease.
If you have a pre-existing health condition or have concerns about taking NSAIDs, always talk to your health care provider or pharmacist first, Walia says.
