Medication Guide for
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
What is the most important information I should know about medicines called Non-Steroidal AntiInflammatory 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 ìcoronary 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 ìcorticosteroidsî and ìanticoagulantsî · 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 use 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: | Other side effects include: |
· heart attack | · stomach pain |
· stroke | · constipation |
· high blood pressure | · diarrhea |
· heart failure from body swelling (fluid retention) | · gas |
· kidney problems including kidney failure | · heartburn |
· bleeding and ulcers in the stomach and intestine | · nausea |
· low red blood cells (anemia) | · vomiting |
· life-threatening skin reactions | · dizziness |
· life-threatening allergic reactions | |
· liver problems including liver failure | |
· asthma attacks in people who have asthma |
Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
· shortnes s of breath or trouble breathing body
· chest pain
· slurred speech
· weakness in one part or side of your
· swelling of the face or throat
Stop your NSAID medicine and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
· nausea
· vomit blood
· more tired or weaker than usual
· there is blood in your bowel
· itching movement or it is black and
· your skin or eyes look yellow sticky like tar
· stomach pain
· skin rash or blisters with fever
· flu-like symptoms
· unusual weight gain
· 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 ñthe ñcounter). Talk to your healthcare provider before using over ñthe ñcounter NSAIDs for more than 10 days.
NSAID medicines that need a prescription
Generic Name | Tradename |
Celecoxib | Celebrex |
Diclofenac | Cataflam, Voltaren, Arthrotec (combined with misoprostol) |
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, Indomethagan |
Ketoprofen | Oruvail |
Ketorolac | Toradol |
Mefenamic Acid | Ponstel |
Meloxicam | Mobic |
Nabumetone | Relafen |
Naproxen | Naprosyn, Anaprox, Anaprox DS, EC-Naproxyn, Naprelan, Naprapac (copackaged with lansoprazole) |
Oxaprozin | Daypro |
Piroxicam | Feldene |
Sulindac | Clinoril |
Tolmetin | Tolectin, Tolectin DS, Tolectin 600 |
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.