Don’t prescribe therapies with anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without initial and periodical assessment in each patient of the actual clinical indications and of the side effects risk at that time.

Don’t prescribe therapies with anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without initial and periodical assessment in each patient of the actual clinical indications and of the side effects risk at that time.

Type of practice

Drugs

Age

Adult, Geriatric

Topic Area

General Practice and Primary Care

NSAIDs are used primarily in chronic therapies, as analgesic drugs and are burdened with significant side effects, especially at gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular level. The available studies suggest caution by the physicians both at the moment of initial prescription and in course of the treatment. Particular caution should be paid in case of prescription to patient, especially elderly, with concomitant therapy (eg. Antihypertensives, corticosteroids, anticoagulants).

Sources

1. NICE. NSAIDs - Prescribing Issues. http://cks.nice.org.uk/nsaids-prescribing-issues#!topicsummary
2. NICE. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. http://publications.nice.org.uk/non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-ktt13/
3. Coxib and traditional NSAID Trialists' (CNT) Collaboration. Vascular and upper gastrointestinal effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: meta-analyses of individual participant data from randomised trials. Lancet. 2013 Aug 31; 382(9894): 769-79.
4. Scheiman JM, Fendrick AM. Summing the risk of NSAID therapy. Lancet 2007 May 12; 369(9573): 1580-1.

Attention. Please note that these items are provided only for information and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a clinician. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their clinician.