Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs – NSAID

NSAID or Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs belong to a medication family that helps relieve pain, decrease fever, and reduce inflammation. Also, you can use an NSAID to prevent blood clotting. You can use a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drug as an ‘Antithrombotic’ agent. Therefore, whenever you have a fever or experience severe pain, the medicine usually prescribed by your doctor is an NSAID. Several fever-relieving medications are available in the pharmaceutical market around the world that you can use. These include Ibuprofen, Aspirin, and Naproxen. Here is presenting this article to explain to you all the essential facts you need to know about NSAID or Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs.

How does an NSAID Work?

It is as nonselective inhibitors of ‘Cyclooxygenase Enzymes’ that most NSAID or Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory functions. This medication works by blocking cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Usually, an NSAID works like a ‘Corticosteroid’ using a reversible process. There are, however, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs like aspirin which use irreversible inhibition to relieve pain. So, in simple words, an NSAID works by blocking COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, which protect the stomach lining and joints when inflammation occurs. However, unfortunately, not much is known about the exact mechanism of a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drug.

Why do You Use Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications?

 When you experience any of the medical conditions associated with inflammation or pain given below, you use an NSAID. They are as follows:

1. Pain in the back
2. Menstrual cramps in females
3. Bursitis
4. Severe muscular pain
5. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or tendonitis pain
6. Gout
7. Tooth pain

What are Some of The Types of NSAIDs Available?

In dosage form, NSAID is available as a tablet, capsule, suppository, gel, or cream. You can use it parenterally as an injection as well. Moreover, about types, there are several forms of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory medicines available. A few popular drugs are as follows:

1. Naproxen
2. Ibuprofen
3. Indomethacin
4. Celecoxib
5. Mefenamic acid
6. Etoricoxib
7. Diclofenac

All these NSAIDs mentioned above are equally effective in reducing pain, fever, or inflammation. Although, you may find one to be best suited to your body than the rest.

Side-Effects That Occur on The Consumption of NSAID:

Like most other synthetic medications, on taking an NSAID, too, you will experience a few side effects. There can be a mix of less serious ones as well as those that are very serious. These include the following:

Side-effects:

1. Drowsiness
2. Dizziness
3. Headaches
4. Indigestion

  Adverse side-effects:

The few side effects that are rare but are very serious and can be fatal if you do not treat them include the following:

1. Fluid retention
2. Increase in blood pressure
3. Risk of stroke or heart attack increases
4. Peptic ulceration and gastric bleeding

What are The Risk Factors Associated with The Use of NSAIDs?

 According to the United States of America Food and Drug Administration or FDA, using NSAID or Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs can trigger severe medical conditions such as bleeding and ulceration in the stomach. These undesirable side effects of NSAIDs can occur anytime during usage without warning. Moreover, the risk factors associated with using Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory medications are as follows:

1. Individuals who are old or above the age of 65 or those (young or old) having heart issues
2. People who are using blood thinners
3. Those who have a past medical history of stomach ulceration and bleeding problems
4. An individual who likes drinking alcoholic beverages more than three times a day
5.  When a person is on multiple prescription or over-the-counter Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory medications
6. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding mothers
7.  Allergy to NSAIDS
8.  Any human being has asthma. Since the use of NSAIDs can worsen symptoms of this breathing disorder. 
9. Finally, avoid taking an NSAID if you are also taking low-dose aspirin, warfarin, diuretics, lithium, methotrexate, ciclosporin, and antidepressant medications called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs like citalopram and Prozac.