What are NSAIDs?
NSAID is a short form for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The medications are designed to reduce or relieve pain. A good example of such a drug is ibuprofen or aspirin. NSAIDs are also available in analgesics., meaning they are quite different from common painkillers such as morphine that are used to treat chronic pain.
NSAIDS are designed for mild form of pain that lead to different types of pains and aches. They comprise some common pain relief medications.
Types of NSAIDS
Acetic acids
Indomethacin
Ketorolac
Etodolac
Diclofenac
COX-2 inhibitors
Celecoxib
Fenamates
Mefenamic acid
Meclofenamate
Oxicam derivatives
Piroxicam
Meloxicam
Propionic acids
Ketoprofen
Fenoprofen
Ibuprofen
Flurbiprofen
Salicylates
Diflunisal
Aspirin
Magnesium salicylate
Salsalate
Who can use NSAIDS and Who Can’t?
NSAIDS are a special group of painkillers. There are those that are sold over the counter such as naproxen sodium, ibuprofen, and ketoprofen. These drugs are safe to use, but only on occasional use. They should also only be used based on a doctor’s prescription, especially patients who suffer from heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and high blood pressure or by senior citizens. The drugs can lead to increase risks of kidney failure or progressive kidney damage.
How do they work?
NSAIDs comprise of different classes. However, their chemical structures tend to differ from one class to another. However, all the classes do the following
they reduce pain
they reduce inflammation
they reduce high temperature and fever
these drugs work by reducing the formation of elements called prostaglandins, which are important in inflammatory response of the body. When the levels of prostaglandins are reduced, inflammation reduces in the damaged tissue.
Also, NSAID block cyclooxygenase, a group of enzyme that takes part in the formation of prostaglandins. The blockage also compromises the functionality of platelets. This is the reason why the drugs have anti-clotting characteristics. For instance, aspirin can help prevent stroke or heart attacks, preventing the blocked properties.
Common side effects of NSAIDS
Some of the most common side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are as follows:
Irritation and stomach pain
However, severe side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are less common, only the mild ones. Also, side effects tend to differ from one person to another. If you take the drugs for a long term, or in high amounts, you may experience side effects.
Generally, prescription NSAIDS have a lot of power and greater risk that OTC NSAIDS. Some serious side effects experience by most patients are:
drowsiness
liver
indigestion as well as other gut problems
headaches
dizziness
Blood pressure is another side effects of constant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They also reduce the flow of blood into the kidney. This mean they don’t work much. This makes body fluid to build up, and when the amount of fluid is in excess in the body, the pressure shoots up. In the end, this may lead to kidney damage. Also, there is high risk of stroke and heart attack with extended use of NSAIDS treatment online prescriptions.
