Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are NSAIDs?How NSAIDs Relieve PainTypes of NSAIDsIs Long-Term Use Safe?Frequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are NSAIDs?
How NSAIDs Relieve Pain
Types of NSAIDs
Is Long-Term Use Safe?
Frequently Asked Questions
If you havechronic pain, chances are you’ve turned to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief on more than one occasion. However, chronic or long-term use of NSAIDs—defined as more than three times a week for more than three months—can have negative health effects.
This article discusses the use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen for chronic pain, how these drugs work, and how to take them. It also discusses the potential side effects and problems with the long-term use of NSAIDs.
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are pain medications often used to treat muscle and joint pain, though they may be used for nerve pain in some cases. NSAIDs fall under the heading ofnon-opioid analgesicsor non-narcotic pain medications. Typically, using NSAIDs for chronic pain is most effective when your pain is mild or moderate.
Unlikeopioids, many NSAIDs can be purchased over the counter. Ibuprofen and naproxen, both NSAIDs, are readily available in drug and convenience stores. Prescription-strength NSAIDs for chronic pain are also available if your pain is more severe. In these cases, NSAIDs may also be combined with opioids to better control your pain.
Types of NSAIDs for Chronic Pain
Some of the more commonly available over-the-counter NSAIDs for chronic pain include aspirin, ibuprofen, andnaproxen.These pain medications are sold in different non-prescription strengths and may be combined with other ingredients, such as caffeine or acetaminophen.
COX-2 inhibitorsare a newer type of NSAID that selectively targets the COX-2 enzyme to ease pain and inflammation. COX-2 inhibitors have fewer gastrointestinal side effects than traditional NSAIDs but carry great cardiovascular risks.
What to Know About Prescription Anti-Inflammatory Medications
When NSAIDs are used regularly over an extended period of time, as is often the case with chronic pain, the potential for side effects increases. Evidence suggests that the potential for NSAID-associated complications increases as you get older.Some more common side effects include:
If you plan to be on NSAIDs for chronic pain long-term, your healthcare provider may alter the dosage. He or she may also provide you with other prescription medication that offsets the potential for developing any of the above conditions. The potential for NSAID complications may be increased if you:
Frequently Asked QuestionsLong-term or chronic use is defined as taking NSAIDs more than three times a week for more than three months.NSAIDs are fine to take on occasion, but long-term daily use can lead to side effects including stomach ulcers and gastric bleeding. In addition, non-aspirin NSAIDs can increase your risk of heart attacks and stroke. If you have ongoing pain concerns and find yourself reaching for an NSAID every day, talk to your doctor about other options for managing your pain.All NSAIDs can have negative side effects from chronic use. The NSAID with the safest cardiovascular profile is naproxen. COX-2 inhibitors, like Celebrex, are associated with fewer gastrointestinal problems than traditional NSAIDs. Ibuprofen has the lowest risk of liver damage.
Long-term or chronic use is defined as taking NSAIDs more than three times a week for more than three months.
NSAIDs are fine to take on occasion, but long-term daily use can lead to side effects including stomach ulcers and gastric bleeding. In addition, non-aspirin NSAIDs can increase your risk of heart attacks and stroke. If you have ongoing pain concerns and find yourself reaching for an NSAID every day, talk to your doctor about other options for managing your pain.
All NSAIDs can have negative side effects from chronic use. The NSAID with the safest cardiovascular profile is naproxen. COX-2 inhibitors, like Celebrex, are associated with fewer gastrointestinal problems than traditional NSAIDs. Ibuprofen has the lowest risk of liver damage.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zhou Y, Boudreau DM, Freedman AN.Trends in the use of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the general U.S. population.Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2014;23(1):43-50. doi:10.1002/pds.3463Merck Manual Professional Version.Treatment of pain.Cleveland Clinic.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).US Food & Drug Administration.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA strengthens warning that non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause heart attacks or strokes.Mei J, Polyakova o, Shaliwall S, McDonald K, Wong AYJ.Safety and efficacy considerations for chronic use of NSAIDs for chronic pain.J Precision Med.Additional ReadingU.S. Food &Drug Administration.COX-2 Selective (includes Bextra, Celebrex, and Vioxx) and Non-Selective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zhou Y, Boudreau DM, Freedman AN.Trends in the use of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the general U.S. population.Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2014;23(1):43-50. doi:10.1002/pds.3463Merck Manual Professional Version.Treatment of pain.Cleveland Clinic.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).US Food & Drug Administration.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA strengthens warning that non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause heart attacks or strokes.Mei J, Polyakova o, Shaliwall S, McDonald K, Wong AYJ.Safety and efficacy considerations for chronic use of NSAIDs for chronic pain.J Precision Med.Additional ReadingU.S. Food &Drug Administration.COX-2 Selective (includes Bextra, Celebrex, and Vioxx) and Non-Selective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Zhou Y, Boudreau DM, Freedman AN.Trends in the use of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the general U.S. population.Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2014;23(1):43-50. doi:10.1002/pds.3463Merck Manual Professional Version.Treatment of pain.Cleveland Clinic.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).US Food & Drug Administration.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA strengthens warning that non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause heart attacks or strokes.Mei J, Polyakova o, Shaliwall S, McDonald K, Wong AYJ.Safety and efficacy considerations for chronic use of NSAIDs for chronic pain.J Precision Med.
Zhou Y, Boudreau DM, Freedman AN.Trends in the use of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the general U.S. population.Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2014;23(1):43-50. doi:10.1002/pds.3463
Merck Manual Professional Version.Treatment of pain.
Cleveland Clinic.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
US Food & Drug Administration.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA strengthens warning that non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause heart attacks or strokes.
Mei J, Polyakova o, Shaliwall S, McDonald K, Wong AYJ.Safety and efficacy considerations for chronic use of NSAIDs for chronic pain.J Precision Med.
U.S. Food &Drug Administration.COX-2 Selective (includes Bextra, Celebrex, and Vioxx) and Non-Selective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
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