Central adverse drug reactions of NSAIDs

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is a group of drugs used for analgesia, antinflammatory, antipyretical properties, and antiplatelet effects. NSAIDs are widely used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal pain, gout and other pathological conditions, however, their use is associated with the risk of developing adverse drug reactions, including serious and fatal ones, for example, gastrointestinal bleeding, or myocardial infarction and stroke. Many NSAIDs can also cross the blood-brain barrier and cause central adverse drug reactions that can be mistaken by practical health care professionals for the manifestation of a new pathologies or insufficient effectiveness of treatment of an existing disease, but not with the use of NSAIDs, that may lead to errors in treatment tactics, additional prescription of drugs and an increased risk of complications. The purpose of this article is to inform practical health care professionals about the potential risks of central adverse drug reactions (including psychiatric ones) of NSAIDs, and thus, to increase the effectiveness and safety of therapy.