Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications widely used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down a high temperature (fever).
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications widely used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down a high temperature (fever).
They're often used to relieve symptoms of headaches ,
, sprains and strains , colds and flu , arthritis , and other causes of long-term pain.Although NSAIDs are commonly used, they're not suitable for everyone and can sometimes cause troublesome side effects.
This information is a general overview of NSAIDs. For information about a specific medicine, you can look up your medication on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website.
This page covers:
NSAIDs are available as tablets, capsules, suppositories (capsules inserted into the bottom), creams, gels and injections. Some can be bought over the counter from pharmacies, while others need a prescription.
The main types of NSAIDs include:
NSAIDs may be sold under these names or a brand name. They're all similarly effective, although you may find a particular one works best for you.
Most people can take NSAIDs, but some people need to be careful about taking them.
It's a good idea to ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice before taking an NSAID if you:
NSAIDs might not necessarily need to be avoided in these cases, but they should only be used on the advice of a healthcare professional as there may be a higher risk of side effects.
If NSAIDs aren't suitable, your pharmacist or doctor may suggest alternatives to NSAIDs, such as
.Like all medications, there's a risk of side effects from NSAIDs. These tend to be more common if you're taking high doses for a long time, or you're elderly or in poor general health. Over-the-counter NSAIDs generally have fewer side effects than stronger prescription medicines.
Possible side effects of NSAIDs include:
If you experience any troublesome side effects, stop taking your medicine and tell your doctor.
Some NSAIDs can react unpredictably with other medications. This can affect how well either medicine works and increase the risk of side effects.
It's particularly important to get medical advice before taking an NSAID if you're already taking:
If you're not sure whether a medication you're taking can be taken at the same time as an NSAID, check the leaflet that comes with it, or ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
The leaflet that comes with your medicine should say whether you need to avoid any particular foods or drinks. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you're not sure.
For information about a specific medicine, check the A-Z of medicine leaflets on the MHRA website.
Generally, you don't need to avoid any specific foods while taking NSAIDs. Tablets or capsules should normally be swallowed with water or food to stop them upsetting your stomach.
It's usually safe to drink alcohol while taking NSAIDs, but drinking alcohol excessively during treatment may irritate your stomach.
Taking too much of an NSAID can be dangerous. This is known as taking an overdose.
Contact your doctor or local emergency services for advice immediately if you take too much of your medicine and you experience problems such as feeling or being sick, an upset stomach, or drowsiness.
Call the emergency services for an ambulance immediately if you or someone else experiences serious effects of an overdose, such as fits (seizures), breathing difficulties, or loss of consciousness.
As NSAIDs can cause troublesome side effects, alternatives are often recommended first.
The main alternative for pain relief is
, which is available over the counter and is safe for most people to take.NSAID creams and gels that you rub into your skin may be worth trying first if you have muscle or joint pain in a particular part of your body, as they tend to have fewer side effects than tablets or capsules.
Your doctor may also be able to recommend different medicines and therapies depending on the condition you have. For example, physiotherapy may help some people with muscle or joint pain.
Anti-inflammatory Anti-inflammatory medicines reduce swelling and inflammation. Fever A fever is when you have a high body temperature (over 38C or 100.4F). Inflammation Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area. Joints Joints are the connection point between two bones that allow movement. Migraines A migraine is type of recurring headache. It is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.