Abstract
NSAIDs are widely used all over the world. NSAID use is rising due to increasing availability without a prescription, use of aspirin for prevention of thrombotic disorders and the ageing population. Aspirin is used as an analgesic drug in many countries, but the main current indication is low-dose aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular events. However, NSAIDs and aspirin use account for approximately 20-25% of all reported drug adverse events. Most of those are gastrointestinal including dyspepsia, hemorrhage, perforation and even death. The COX-2- selective inhibitors (coxibs) have demonstrated equivalent efficacy to nonspecific NSAIDs in the management of arthritis and pain but have less gastrointestinal adverse events, although coxibs and probably all NSAIDs, significantly increase risk of serious thromboembolic events. Concomitant use of low-dose aspirin is present in more than 20% of all patients taking either NSAIDs or coxibs, thus increasing the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Furthermore, at present, it is not known whether aspirin decreases the cardiovascular risks of COX-2 inhibitors or NSAIDs. Appropriate strategies for gastrointestinal risk reduction with NSAIDs and aspirin must consider the overall health status of our patients including the presence of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risk factors. Use of the lowest possible dose of these drugs, gastroprotectants, especially proton pump inhibitors and Helicobacter pylori eradication will reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects in patients taking low-dose aspirin and NSAIDs or coxibs.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.