NSAIDs
(Definition: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
Steroids are a type of drug used to reduce inflammation but they have very bad side effects. NSAIDs are types of drugs to reduce inflammation but are not steroid type drugs.
Aspirin and NSAIDs have been found to cause damage to the lining of the digestive tract primarily in the stomach and upper intestine. This damage can result in an ulcer or intestinal bleeding.
Although this can happen to an individual who is an infrequent user of aspirin or NSAIDs, it is of a much greater concern in frequent users, and those consuming higher dosages of these medications.
Here is a list of common and prescription NSAIDs:
Aspirin (Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin, Excedrin)
Choline and magnesium salicylates (CMT, Tricosal, Trilisate)
Choline salicylate (Arthropan)
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
Diclofenac potassium (Cataflam)
Diclofenac sodium (Voltaren, Voltaren XR)
Diclofenac sodium with misoprostol (Arthrotec)
Diflunisal (Dolobid)
Etodolac (Lodine, Lodine XL)
Fenoprofen calcium (Nalfon)
Flurbiprofen (Ansaid)
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Motrin IB, Nuprin)
Indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin SR)
Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail)
Magnesium salicylate (Arthritab, Bayer Select, Doan's Pills, Magan, Mobidin, Mobogesic)
Meclofenamate sodium (Meclomen)
Mefenamic acid (Ponstel)
Meloxicam (Mobic)
Nabumetone (Relafen)
Naproxen (Naprosyn, Naprelan*)
Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox)
Oxaprozin (Daypro)
Piroxicam (Feldene)
Rofecoxib (Vioxx)
Salsalate (Amigesic, Anaflex 750, Disalcid, Marthritic, Mono-Gesic, Salflex, Salsitab)
Sodium salicylate (various generics)
Sulindac (Clinoril)
Tolmetin sodium (Tolectin)
Valdecoxib (Bextra)
Note: Some products, such as Excedrin, are combination drugs. (Excedrin is acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine).
Acetaminophen Is Also a Problem
Note that acetaminophen (Paracetamol; Tylenol) is not on this list. Acetaminophen belongs to a class of drugs called analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers).
The exact mechanism of action of acetaminophen is not known.
Acetaminophen relieves pain by elevating the pain threshold, that is, by requiring a greater amount of pain to develop before it is felt by a person.
Acetaminophen relieves pain in mild arthritis but has no effect on the underlying inflammation, redness and swelling of the joint.
Paracetamol, unlike other common analgesics such as aspirin and ibuprofen, has no anti-inflammatory properties, and so it is not a member of the class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs.
New Warnings for Pain Relief Drugs
Manufacturers will have to include warnings on all their over-the-counter products containing acetaminophen (best known as Tylenol), and on all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) drugs, according to new rules from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
NSAIDs include popular medicines such as aspirin , ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and Excedrin. The regulations affect much of the U.S. population, because over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers are some of the most commonly used drugs, per the FDA.
The warnings also apply to any over-the-counter drug that contains acetaminophen and NSAIDs mixed with other drugs.
The purpose of the new labeling is to raise awareness of potential liver damage from acetaminophen and the potential for stomach bleeding from NSAIDs.
Products with acetaminophen will carry the warning that it may cause severe liver damage if you take more than the maximum daily dose or if you are also taking other drugs with acetaminophen, or if you have three or more drinks a day while taking the drug.
Every over-the-counter product containing a NSAID will have to include a stomach bleeding warning.
The warning will highlight risk factors for severe stomach bleeding associated with the product. These include being 60 or older, having stomach ulcers or bleeding problems, taking a blood thinner or steroid, or taking other prescription or non-prescription NSAIDs.
Consumers are also warned to ask their doctor about their risk of taking NSAIDs and to stop taking the drug and consult their doctor if there are any signs of stomach bleeding.
These signs include stomach pain that doesn't go away, vomiting blood or blood in the stool.
