Non-steroidal inflammatory drugs. Pain-killers for muscular rheumatism and other painful disorders, (aspirin). NSAIDS work by blocking prostaglandin synthesis; usually therapeutically for inflamed joints. Reactions may follow their use, sometimes creating gastrointestinal problems and liver, kidney and skin disorders. Bleeding and internal ulcer may sometimes follow, the elderly specially at risk.
Alternatives: anti-inflammatories, analgesics.
To assist withdrawal – Devil’s Claw (inflamed joints), Meadowsweet (stomach), Blue Flag (liver and skin).
Formula. Devil’s Claw 2; Black Willow 2; Wild Yam 1; Valerian 1. Mix. Dose – Powders: quarter to half a teaspoon; Liquid Extracts: 1 teaspoon; Tinctures: 2-3 teaspoons; in water or honey thrice daily.
Patients on NSAID drugs should not take salt substitutes containing potassium. A quarter of patients on long-term NSAIDS suffer oesophagitis. Lesions may be caused in the gullet by ‘pill oesophagitis’ where delayed passage into the stomach of pills and tablets damages the oesophageal mucosal membrane.
See NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS).
These act by inhibiting the formation of PROSTAGLANDINS which are mediators of INFLAMMATION. They act both as ANALGESICS to relieve pain, and as inhibitors of in?ammation. Aspirin is a classic example of such a compound. Newer compounds have been synthesised with the aim of producing fewer and less severe side-effects. They are sometimes preferred to aspirin for the treatment of conditions such as RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, OSTEOARTHRITIS, sprains, strains and sports injuries. Their main side-effects are gastrointestinal: gastric ulcers and gastric haemorrhage may result (see STOMACH, DISEASES OF). This is because prostaglandins are necessary for the production of the mucous protective coat in the stomach and, when the production of prostaglandin is inhibited, the protection of the stomach is compromised. NSAIDs should therefore be used with caution in patients with DYSPEPSIA and gastric ulceration. The various nonsteroidal anti-in?ammatory drugs di?er little from each other in e?cacy, although there is considerable variation in patient response. Ibuprofen is one of the ?rst choices in this group of drugs as it combines good e?cacy with a low incidence of side-effects and administration is only required twice daily. Other drugs in this series include diclofenac, fenbufen, fenclofenac, fenoprofen, feprazone, ?urbiprofen, indomethacin, indoprofen, ketoprofen, ketorolac, naproxen, piroxicam, sulindac, tiaprofenic acid and tolmetin.... non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids)
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