Medication Guide for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
(See the end of this Medication Guide for a list of
prescription NSAID medicines.)
PDF Print Version
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:
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:
The chance of a person getting an ulcer or bleeding
increases with:
NSAID medicines should only be used:
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:
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
-
chest pain
-
weakness in one part or side of your body
-
slurred speech
-
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
-
more tired or weaker than usual
-
itching
-
your skin or eyes look yellow
-
stomach pain
-
flu-like symptoms
-
vomit blood
-
there is blood in your bowel movement or it
is black and sticky like tar
-
unusual weight gain
-
skin rash or blisters with fever
-
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 –the –counter). Talk to
your healthcare provider before using over –the –counter NSAIDs
for more than 10 days.
NSAID medicines that need a prescription
Generic Name |
Tradename |
Celecoxib
|
Celebrex |
Diclofenac
|
Flector, Cataflam, Voltaren, Arthrotec (combined with misoprostol) |
Diflunisal
|
Dolobid |
Etodolac
|
Lodine, Lodine XL |
Fenoprofen
|
Nalfon, Nalfon 200 |
Flurbirofen
|
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.
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Date created: June 15, 2005, updated April 19, 2007 |