Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Recently Answered

• QWhat's the difference between ibuprofen and acetaminophen?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A MountainStar Healthcare answered

  To know the differences between acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil), it's helpful to understand their pros and cons.

  Acetaminophen

  • Pros: Acetaminophen is easier on the stomach than ibuprofen. It's better for minor headaches and has fewer side effects. Also, taking it for a long time doesn’t put you at risk for heart attacks. Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen does.
  • Cons: Too much acetaminophen can lead to liver problems. Also, a big worry is the hidden risk of getting more of this medication than you think you are taking.

  Ibuprofen

  • Pros: It works to reduce pain and lower a fever. Unlike acetaminophen, it is an NSAID, so it helps ease inflammation. Ibuprofen is good for treating headaches, toothaches, back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps or minor injuries. It is not a narcotic, so you won't get addicted to it.
  • Cons: Taking a lot of ibuprofen at once or using it regularly for a long time increases your risk of heart disease, ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding. NSAIDs also can hurt your kidneys or cause blood pressure problems. The good news is occasional use doesn’t cause these problems. If you’re a regular user, don’t stop cold turkey. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned or have questions. If you’re having side effects, your doctor may prescribe medicines called proton pump inhibitor (like Nexium or Prilosec) to help.

  This content originally appeared on http://blog.mountainstar.com/.

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• QWhat is the maximum daily dosage for ibuprofen?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A West Valley Medical Center answered

  Patients should try and take as little ibuprofen as possible, as it can cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular issues.

• QHow soon after taking meloxicam will my symptoms improve?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A West Valley Medical Center answered

  Meloxicam can have an onset of action within 30 minutes and last in the blood longer than ibuprofen.

• QHow are NSAIDs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Sigma Nursing answered

  NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are a class of medications used for pain relief. They can be bought over the counter (ibuprofen is one example) or in stronger prescription doses. As their name suggests, NSAIDs are used to treat inflammation. This is helpful in rheumatoid arthritis since it is an inflammatory disease. These drugs do not, however, help protect joints from being damaged by rheumatoid arthritis, so other drugs may be prescribed in conjunction with NSAIDs. There are side effects from taking NSAIDs, even the over-the-counter variety, so consult your doctor when using them.

• QCan taking NSAIDs for arthritis increase risk for heart disease?

  2 Answers

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  A Dr. Juan P. Villablanca, MD , Neuroradiology, answered on behalf of UCLA Health

  Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for arthritis could increase the risk for heart disease in people with a history of cardiovascular disease. If you have had a heart attack or heart bypass surgery, or if you have high cholesterol or high triglycerides in your blood, your doctor will want to carefully supervise you if you take NSAIDs. NSAIDs decrease the inflammation around arthritic sites and can be very effective at decreasing pain. If you do not have any cardiovascular risk factors, your doctor may suggest that you take NSAIDs and will check from time to time to make sure you are not having any problems. Some people can develop stomach irritations, so your doctor may give you a list of symptoms to be aware of.

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• QWhat are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?

  5 Answers

  A

  

  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), diclofenac, naproxen (Aleve) and other medications. These drugs are safer than opioid and narcotic pain medications. They are also less likely to be overused. Still, it is important to take them as directed and not to take more than the recommended dose. Aspirin is available in combination with other drugs.
  
  Prescription NSAIDs include diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), and oxaprozin (Daypro). A topical form of diclofenac (Pennsaid, Voltaren) is also available with a prescription. It is applied to the skin over the joint, as a liquid or gel.
   
  NSAIDs can have serious side effects on the digestive system and are usually not recommended for continuous use for more than 1 to 2 weeks. People taking them for longer periods, especially older people, usually take a drug to protect their stomach. Celecoxib (Celebrex) is a special type of NSAID that is less likely to harm the digestive system. It is sometimes prescribed for people who can't take other NSAIDs. But it is also not recommended for long-term treatment. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor. 

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• QDoes celecoxib interact with any other medications?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  If you are taking any of the following medications, celecoxib can lead to side effects and should be avoided:

  • aliskiren
  • dabrafenib
  • doxorubicin
  • enzalutamide
  • ketorolac
  • mecamylamine
  • another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
  • omacetaxine
  • thioridazine

  If you are taking any of the following medications, celecoxib may not be a good option for you:

  • aminosalicylate
  • an angiotensin II receptor antagonist
  • an ACE inhibitor
  • aspirin
  • a bisphosphonate
  • a corticosteroid
  • cyclosporine
  • deferasirox
  • desmopressin
  • a diuretic
  • a fluoroquinolone antibiotic
  • haloperidol
  • mesalamine
  • pralatrexate
  • sulfasalazine
  • tacrolimus
  • tenofovir

  If you take celecoxib, you should avoid herbals that have anticoagulant effects. These include alfalfa, anise, bilberry, bladderwrack, bromelain, cat's claw, celery, chamomile, coleus, cordyceps, dong quai, evening primrose, fenugreek, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, grapeseed, green tea, guggul, horse chestnuts, horseradish, licorice, prickly ash, red clover, reishi, SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), sweet clover, turmeric, and white willow. 
• QWhat should I know before I take celecoxib?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  If you are over age 65, celecoxib may not be a good option for you.
  
  If you are allergic to sulfa drugs, you should not take celecoxib.
  
  If you take celecoxib, you should avoid alcohol.
  
  If you have had a sensitivity reaction to aspirin, you should not take celecoxib.
  
  If you have asthma, fluid retention, heart failure, or impaired kidney function, celecoxib may not be a good option for you.
  
  If you have peptic ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, celecoxib can lead to serious side effects, especially if you are elderly or debilitated.
  
  If you have severe liver impairment, celecoxib can lead to side effects and should be avoided.
  
  If you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or planning a pregnancy, celecoxib may not be a good option for you. It is not known if it is safe for pregnant women in the first two trimesters. The health of your baby may be a risk if you take celecoxib in the third trimester.
  
  If you are breastfeeding, celecoxib may not be a good option for you. It is not known if this drug can be passed into breast milk.
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.