NSAID Medications Explained

NSAID medications define a group of Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs with analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. That is, they reduce pain, fever and inflammation. They differ from most other analgesics in that they are non-narcotic. NSAIDs are normally used for the treatment of conditions where pain and inflammation are present.

Aspirin, formulized in 1853 by French chemist Charles Frederic Gerhardt, was the first NSAID drug created. It was not until 1899 that drug manufacturer Bayer coined the name aspirin and released it to the public. It is worth mentioning that folk remedies based on the bark of the white willow tree have been used since ancient times, and are chemically similar to aspirin. As well as aspirin, the other two popular NSAIDs are ibuprofen, and naproxen.

Most NSAID medications work by inhibiting a specific enzyme, thereby preventing the formation of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins control the sensitivity to pain and regulate inflammation. In simple terms, they reduce inflammation and sensitivity to pain by controlling enzyme production.

There have been many studies performed on the risk of using NSAID’s during pregnancy. One study, in particular, took a look at Danish women all throughout their pregnancy. It took note of those who used the drugs during the first few weeks up until the first trimester was over and it studied those who took the drug in their second and third trimesters. The study concentrated on acetyl salicylic acid. The researchers found that there was virtually no risk in the first part of pregnancy. There was not an increase in miscarriages nor were there any birth defects associated with taking the drug. Women who are pregnant are advised to not use any of these drugs during the latter part of their pregnancy. This is in part due to the risk of bleeding. New NSAIDs have not been thoroughly tested as of yet.

NSAIDs are associated with a number of side effects, the frequency of which varies between the drugs. The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite, rash, dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. NSAIDs may also cause fluid retention. The most serious side effects are kidney failure, liver failure, ulcers and prolonged bleeding after an injury or surgery.

Although some NSAID medications are available over the counter from your local pharmacy, others need to be prescribed by a doctor due to their strength. Many folks buy the over the counter products and just take more but this is definitely not recommended. You could wind up overdosing on the medication because you are not sure of the correct dosage to take. It is always important to see a physician and let him or her know of any prescription or non-prescription drugs that you are taking.

Benefits and Risks of NSAID Medications

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs are employed for pain medication alternatives to treat several different varieties of pain, swelling, redness and inflammation from various medical conditions. These might include arthritis, menstrual cramps and migraine headaches, together with numerous other forms of moderate to severe pain. NSAID medications are occasionally included in allergy medications as well. The ever popular aspirin is a form of NSAID that is used to restrict the clotting of blood and to help prevent strokes and heart attacks in folks who are regarded at high risk.

Even though they are all looked upon as NSAIDs, there are several differences between them, including their strength, how long they last and the manner in which that they are eliminated from the body. Aspirin is the only NSAID on the drug list that is unique, meaning that apart from having numerous different uses, it is the only one that is capable of inhibiting blood clotting for a prolonged period of time. Whereas most of the other NSAIDs last only a few hours, Aspirin can continue working for up to one week.

When taking any form of medication, there is the prospect of a drug interaction that all users need to be responsive to. For instance, NSAIDs decrease blood flow to the kidneys, which in turn reduces the behavior of diuretics. NSAID medications reduce the capability of blood to clot, which increases bleeding time. If it is taken with different drugs that increase bleeding time, then the prospect of complications rises dramatically. It is advisable for you not lie down for at least half an hour after taking the medication and if you are susceptible to stomach upsets, take it with food. NSAIDs have additionally been demonstrated to increase blood pressure in patients with hypertension and consequently counteract the behavior of other drugs used to treat high blood pressure.

The use of aspirin in youngsters and adolescents with flu or chicken pox has been linked with the development of Reyes syndrome. Consequently, if they show any kind of reaction or skin rash with any other NSAID on the drug list, then it is good advice to find an alternative to aspirin when treating chickenpox or influenza. It has been proven that if you are hyper sensitized to one NSAID, then it is likely you will be allergic to all of them.

Needless to say, there is the prospect of drug side effects with any medicine, including the NSAID medications. They may include nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, headaches and fatigue, and they tend to cause fluid retention, which increases the chance of edema. The gravest side effects are renal failure, liver failure, ulcers and prolonged bleeding following surgery or an injury. Folks that suffer from breathlessness or bronchial asthma are at a greater risk for experiencing a serious allergic reaction when taking NSAIDs.