If you’re concerned or unsure about your risk of side effects with NSAIDs, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. In general, using NSAIDs occasionally rather than every day, and at the lowest dose possible, reduces your chances of developing serious side effects. NSAIDs (with the exception of low-dose aspirin) may also increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, even in healthy people.
skin irritation, reddening, itching or rash (if skin products are used, such as a cream).hyperkalaemia (high levels of potassium in the blood).rectal irritation (if suppositories are used).raised liver enzymes (detected by a blood test, this is more commonly associated with diclofenac than other NSAIDs).Other common side effects of NSAIDs include: Use of NSAIDs can also cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract (gut). Gastrointestinal side effects such as indigestion, stomach upset (including nausea or feeling sick) or stomach pain are commonly caused by NSAIDs. While NSAIDs are effective in relieving pain, fever and inflammation, they can cause unwanted side effects. By reducing production of prostaglandins, NSAIDs help relieve the discomfort of fever and reduce inflammation and the associated pain. NSAIDs block a specific enzyme called cyclooxygenase (or COX) used by the body to make prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like chemicals in the body that contribute to inflammation, pain and fever by raising temperature and dilating blood vessels, which causes redness and swelling in the place they are released. It can be used in low doses to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in high-risk patients. NSAIDs are also used to treat non-inflammatory conditions such as migraine, period pain and postoperative pain, and to reduce fever.Īspirin is an NSAID with ‘blood-thinning’ properties. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to manage the pain and inflammation (swelling and redness) associated with some types of arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis) and other musculoskeletal disorders.