A review of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

© Medpharm. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include the nonselective or traditional NSAIDs, as well as the cyclo-oxygenase-2-specific ones. These agents are most often used to manage pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions. The nonselective or traditional agents are still widely used, and are also freely available as over-the-counter analgesics. However, they carry the risk of serious cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal adverse effects, such as peptic ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding, especially in patients who have a pre-existing high-risk profile. It is imperative that physicians are aware of these risk factors and choose agents that will provide the best benefit-to-risk profile, while taking into consideration the patient's individual needs and risk profile.