That is especially true for people with an above-average chance of heart problems because of older age, overweight, smoking, high cholesterol or blood pressure, or a previous heart attack or stroke. An analysis comparing prior research of diclofenac, celecoxib or ibuprofen estimated that 7 to 8 extra cardiovascular events such as heart attack would occur each year among people taking these drugs; for those taking naproxen, no increased risk was observed.
This is considered a small added risk; if an NSAID provides a lot of benefit, this added risk may be worth taking. People with chronic muscle or joint pain—pain that lasts for several months or more—are in a different situation when it comes to NSAIDs.
They may require daily doses of medication just to function or get a good night's sleep. What should they do? NSAIDs are not the only way to control muscle and joint pain. By deploying a range of remedies, you may be able to reduce your need for NSAIDs or even eliminate it. These add-ons to pain relievers include heat or cold, physical therapy, exercise, and weight loss—especially if the problem is arthritis.
It increases the risk of bleeding, but when used appropriately, it has a net benefit for heart health for those at high risk of future heart problems because it prevents the clotting that leads to heart attacks and strokes. However, some studies suggest that other NSAIDs may interfere with aspirin's ability to prevent clots and the heart attacks they cause. NSAIDs present a small additional risk for most men, but given how much of these drugs people take, it can't be ignored.
It's worth discussing with your doctor, but keep it in perspective. Smoking, being overweight, eating an unhealthy diet, and not exercising enough are still the pound gorillas in the room.
Choices need to be tailored to your unique needs and health risk profile. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Ketoprofen has anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen and has more side-effects.
Dexketoprofen , an isomer of ketoprofen , has been introduced for the short-term relief of mild to moderate pain. Tiaprofenic acid is as effective as naproxen ; it has more side-effects than ibuprofen. Diclofenac sodium and aceclofenac are similar in efficacy to naproxen. Etodolac is comparable in efficacy to naproxen ; it is licensed for symptomatic relief of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Indometacin has an action equal to or superior to that of naproxen , but with a high incidence of side-effects including headache, dizziness, and gastro-intestinal disturbances. Mefenamic acid has minor anti-inflammatory properties. It has occasionally been associated with diarrhoea and haemolytic anaemia which require discontinuation of treatment.
Meloxicam is licensed for the short-term relief of pain in osteoarthritis and for long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Nabumetone is comparable in effect to naproxen. Phenylbutazone is licensed for ankylosing spondylitis, but is not recommended because it is associated with serious side-effects, in particular haematological reactions; it should be used only by a specialist in severe cases where other treatments have been found unsuitable.
Piroxicam is as effective as naproxen and has a long duration of action which permits once-daily administration.
However, it has more gastro-intestinal side-effects than most other NSAIDs, and is associated with more frequent serious skin reactions. Sulindac is similar in tolerance to naproxen. Tenoxicam is similar in activity and tolerance to naproxen. Its long duration of action allows once-daily administration. Tolfenamic acid is licensed for the treatment of migraine. Ketorolac trometamol and the selective inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase-2, parecoxib , are licensed for the short-term management of postoperative pain.
Although selective inhibitors can cause serious gastro-intestinal events, available evidence appears to indicate that the risk of serious upper gastro-intestinal events is lower with selective inhibitors compared to non-selective NSAIDs; this advantage may be lost in patients who require concomitant low-dose aspirin. List of Partners vendors. Many people are prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications NSAIDs for a variety of common orthopedic conditions including arthritis , tendonitis , and bursitis.
These medications are particularly useful not only because they help decrease pain, but they also help control swelling and inflammation.
However, as with any medication, there are both risks and benefits, and people should be careful before turning to a bottle to address their symptoms. While a medication can be a safe and effective treatment for these orthopedic conditions, there may be safe alternatives to a medication.
Before beginning any medication, discuss the pros and cons with your healthcare provider, and always be sure your primary physician is aware of any new medication you are taking, especially if you are taking it regularly. Anti-inflammatory refers to the ability of a medicine to help fight pain and unwanted or abnormal immune system reactions by reducing inflammation.
It is very important to understand that while there are differences between prescription and non-prescription NSAIDs, this difference is not the potential relief of symptoms. Most of the research evaluating the effects of NSAIDs has been done using over-the-counter ibuprofen. Often patients will experience a different response in treatment with a different medication. This could be why some medications have helped your symptoms while others do not have a significant effect.
This is not unusual, and it is difficult to predict which medications will most benefit a given individual. One of the best reasons to consider some of the newer, prescription medications, such as Celebrex or Mobic, is that these may be taken as once-a-day doses rather than three or four times daily.
In addition, the COX-2 inhibitors are thought to have fewer side-effects on the stomach. Names of medications can be confusing, and physicians and other healthcare professionals often use generic and brand names interchangeably. Medications are not the only solution to control inflammation and discomfort.
As we become increasingly aware of and sensitive to the possible side-effects of any medication, more patients and healthcare providers alike are interested in non-pharmacologic methods to control inflammation.
There are many ways that people address inflammation. Some have better scientific support than others, but most all are safe to try. A good place to start is with R. Other treatments that may be helpful include the foods and supplements you ingest, topical treatments to the painful area, and the activities we perform.
An often neglected method to control inflammation is rest. Not only does this mean resting from athletics, but often this means allowing an injured body part to rest from normal activities which may prolong inflammation. Busy lives may not allow for rest, but ignoring the signs of inflammation may prolong the problem. Therefore, look for ways to rest your injured body part to allow the inflammation to subside and the recovery process to unfold. NSAID medications have potential side effects, even though many of these medications can be obtained over-the-counter.
Some of the side effects are minor, others certainly worrisome. Some people may be more prone to side effects given other medical conditions. If there is ever a question of whether or not it is safe for you to take these medications, and you should discuss this with your healthcare provider. Anyone taking NSAID medications for more than a few days should have a discussion with her healthcare provider about the potential for side effects.
While these are not the only risks associated with NSAID medications, they are somewhat more common, and some of the more worrisome, side effects. It is always safest to have a discussion with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about the risk of taking these medications. It is important to understand that even in healthy people without underlying medical conditions, there is always the risk associated with any medication.
The benefits of taking an anti-inflammatory medication need to be balanced with the possible risks of taking the medication.
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