Contents:
- Medical Video: NSAIDs and Heart Disease - Mayo Clinic
- How do NSAIDs work?
- What should I know before using NSAIDs?
- What are the side effects of NSAIDs?
- When should you contact your doctor?
Medical Video: NSAIDs and Heart Disease - Mayo Clinic
You may have heard NSAIDs from your doctor or pharmacist. NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly used to treat musculoskeletal disorders. Mainly used to relieve the following symptoms:
- Pain. Pain caused by stretching muscles, sprains, headaches, migraines, and dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps pain).
- Fever. NSAIDs can also reduce body temperature.
- Inflammation. NSAIDs are often used to relieve inflammation in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
The most commonly used NSAIDs are aspirin and ibuprofen. These drugs are usually found at local pharmacies and can be purchased without a doctor's prescription. For stronger NSAIDs, you will need a prescription from a doctor. It is important to discuss with your doctor if a stronger NSAID is right for you.
How do NSAIDs work?
You might be wondering how this drug works. We will explain to you how NSAIDs can help relieve pain and fever.
Usually, your body produces a chemical called prostaglandin to heal damaged tissue, protect your stomach lining from acid and support platelet blood clotting. Prostaglandin is produced by an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX), which consists of two types: COX I and COX II. Both COX enzymes are responsible for increasing inflammation and fever while only COX I produces prostaglandins that protect the lining of the stomach and support platelets.
NSAIDs work by blocking COX I and COX II. Because prostaglandins that protect the lining of the stomach and increase blood clotting are reduced, NSAIDs can potentially cause stomach inflammation and bleeding. It is recommended to take NSAIDs with food to avoid stomach irritation. COX II inhibitors are similar to NSAIDs. They work by blocking COX II to relieve pain and inflammation. These drugs include celecoxib and rofecoxib.
What should I know before using NSAIDs?
Before using NSAIDs, you must know some of the risks of using NSAIDs. You can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke when you have heart disease and use this drug for a long time.
NSAIDs should not be used right before or after heart surgery called "coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). "
NSAID drugs can cause boils and bleeding in the stomach and intestines at any time during treatment. Ulcers and bleeding can occur without warning symptoms and in some cases can cause death. Your risk of bleeding and having an ulcer can increase if you:
- Use it together with anticoagulants and corticosteroids
- Smoke
- Using NSAIDs for a long period of time
- Drink alcohol
- Elderly
- Or have bad health
NSAIDs are not recommended for the following people:
- Those who have a history of previous heart attacks, strokes or heart failure.
- People aged 75 years or more.
- People with diabetes.
- Smoker.
- People with high blood pressure.
- Asthma sufferers.
- Being pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Has a history of significant kidney disease.
- Has a history of significant liver disease.
- Have active heartburn (pain in the lining of the stomach), or a high risk of heartburn.
If you have one of the conditions above, you should tell your doctor before using NSAIDs for your treatment.
NSAID drugs should only be instructed by your doctor, with the lowest possible dose for your treatment, and with a short amount of time as needed. For mild to moderate pain you can use it as a basic need.
Aspirin is an NSAID drug but does not increase the risk of a heart attack. Aspirin can cause bleeding in the brain, stomach, and intestines. Aspirin can also cause sores in the stomach and intestines.
Aspirin should not be given to children under the age of 16 unless recommended by a doctor. Also, some people with asthma may get an aspirin-triggered attack or NSAID. Please talk to your doctor before using the drug.
What are the side effects of NSAIDs?
Like other drugs, there are some unwanted side effects that can occur and you have to find out. Some serious side effects from NSAIDs include:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure due to swelling of the body (fluid retention)
- Kidney problems include kidney failure
- Bleeding and wounds in the stomach and intestines
- Low red blood cells (anemia)
- Life-threatening skin reactions
- Life-threatening allergic reactions
- Liver problems include liver failure
- Asthma attacks in people who have asthma
Some mild side effects from NSAIDs can include:
- Stomach ache
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Gag
- Dizzy
When should you contact your doctor?
You should stop taking NSAIDs and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting blood
- There is blood in the stool
- Unusual weight gain
- Skin rash or blistered skin with fever
- Swelling of the arms and legs, hands and feet
NSAIDs cannot be used for everyone. Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if the NSAID is right for you.
