NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain and fever. You also can use them to reduce swelling and inflammation.

Some examples of over-the-counter NSAIDs are:

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
• Naproxen (Aleve).

Aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin) is also an NSAID. But it doesn't work the same way as these other NSAIDs.

Some examples of prescription NSAIDs are:

• Diclofenac.
• Indomethacin.
• Piroxicam.

Take NSAIDS exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. If you are taking over-the-counter medicine, read and follow all instructions on the label.

For children, the dose of ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil) is based on the child's weight. Do not use ibuprofen if your child is less than 6 months old unless the doctor gave you instructions to use it. Be safe with medicines. For children 6 months and older, read and follow all instructions on the label.

Before you give medicine to reduce a fever in a baby who is 3 months of age or younger, talk to your doctor. You need to make sure that a young baby's fever isn't a sign of a serious illness.

Give follow-up doses every 6 hours as needed, up to a maximum of 4 doses in a 24-hour period.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce fever and inflammation and relieve pain. Examples of NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.

Here are some examples of NSAIDs. For each item in the list, the generic name is first, followed by any brand names.

Over-the-counter NSAIDs

• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• naproxen (Aleve)

Prescription NSAIDs

• celecoxib
• diclofenac
• etodolac
• indomethacin
• piroxicam

These are not complete lists of NSAIDs.

• Do not use an over-the-counter NSAID for longer than 10 days. Talk to your doctor first.
• The most common side effects from NSAIDs are stomachaches, heartburn, and nausea. NSAIDs may irritate the stomach lining. If the medicine upsets your stomach, you can try taking it with food. But if that doesn't help, talk with your doctor to make sure it's not a more serious problem, such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
• Using NSAIDs may:
  • Lead to high blood pressure.
  • Make symptoms of heart failure worse.
  • Raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and skin reactions.
• Your risks are greater if you take NSAIDs at higher doses or for longer than the label says. People who are older than 65 or who have heart, stomach, or intestinal disease have a higher risk for problems.

Aspirin

Aspirin is not like other NSAIDs. It can help people who are at high risk for heart attack or stroke. But taking aspirin isn't right for everyone, because it can cause serious bleeding.

Talk to your doctor before you start taking aspirin every day. You and your doctor can decide if aspirin is a good choice for you based on your risk of a heart attack or stroke and your risk of serious bleeding. Unless you have a high risk of a heart attack or stroke, the benefits of aspirin probably won't outweigh the risk of bleeding.

• If you use other NSAIDs a lot, aspirin may not work as well to prevent heart attack and stroke.
• If you take aspirin every day for your heart, talk with your doctor before you take other NSAIDs.
• Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.

The most common side effects of NSAIDs are stomach upset, heartburn, and nausea. NSAIDs can irritate the stomach lining. If the medicine upsets your stomach, you can try taking it with food. But if that doesn't help, talk with your doctor to make sure it's not a more serious problem, such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding in the stomach or intestines.

• NSAIDs can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms may include hives, swelling of the face, wheezing, and shock. If you have any of these symptoms, call911 or other emergency services right away.
• For safety, read the label carefully and don't take more than prescribed. Taking a larger dose or taking the medicine longer than recommended can increase your risk of dangerous side effects.
• Do not use a nonprescription NSAID for longer than 10 days without talking to your doctor.

Cautions for NSAIDs include the following:

• NSAIDs can make certain serious conditions more likely, such as:
  • Stomach problems, especially in older adults. These problems include stomach or intestinal bleeding.
  • Heart attack and stroke. This is especially true if you have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease. This risk may be higher if you use NSAIDs for a long time or use higher doses of an NSAID.
  • A sudden kidney problem called acute kidney injury.
• NSAIDs can make certain health problems worse, such as heart failure and kidney disease.
• If you are using over-the-counter NSAIDs, don't use them for longer than 10 days without talking to your doctor.