What is the most important information I should know about medicines called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)?
NSAIDs can cause serious side effects, including:
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- Increased risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk may happen early in treatment and may increase:
- o
- with increasing doses of NSAIDs
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- with longer use of NSAIDs
Do not take NSAIDs right before or after a heart surgery called a "coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)."
Avoid taking NSAIDs after a recent heart attack, unless your healthcare provider tells you to. You may have an increased risk of another heart attack if you take NSAIDs after a recent heart attack.
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- Increased risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears (perforation) of the esophagus (tube leading from the mouth to the stomach), stomach and intestines:
- o
- anytime during use
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- without warning symptoms
- o
- that may cause death
The risk of getting an ulcer or bleeding increases with:
• past history of stomach ulcers, • increasing doses of NSAIDs
or stomach or intestinal • longer use of NSAIDs
bleeding with the use of • smoking
NSAIDs • drinking alcohol
• taking medicines called • older age
"corticosteroids", • poor health
"anticoagulants", "SSRIs", or • advanced liver disease
"SNRIs" • bleeding problems
NSAIDs should only be used:
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- exactly as prescribed
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- at the lowest dose possible for your treatment
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- for the shortest time needed