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Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Brian W. Bird
Pharmacology and General Medical Conditions
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Aspirin (Bayer) is in a group of drugs called salicylates. It works by reducing substances
in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. Aspirin is used to treat mild to moderate
pain, and also to reduce fever or inflammation. It is sometimes used to treat or prevent heart
attacks, strokes, and angina. Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever,
especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and
sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children. Aspirin should be taken exactly as
directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. You should not use the
medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Take this
medication with a full glass of water. Taking aspirin with food or milk can lessen stomach upset.
Enteric-coated aspirin is specially formulated to be gentle on your stomach, but you may take it
with food or milk if desired. The enteric-coated pill has a special coating to protect your
stomach. The extended-release tablet is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body.
You should not use any other over-the-counter medication without first asking your doctor or
pharmacist. Aspirin is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take
certain products together you may accidentally take too much aspirin. You should read the label
of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin. Avoid taking ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin) if you are taking aspirin to prevent stroke or heart attack. Ibuprofen can make this
medication less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Ibuprofen
is used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as
headache, toothache, back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, or minor injury. Ibuprofen may
cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if
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you use it long term. You should not use ibuprofen just before or after heart bypass surgery. This
medicine may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or
perforation. These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while you are taking
ibuprofen, especially in older adults. You should not take more of this medication than is
recommended. An overdose of ibuprofen can cause damage to your stomach or intestines. The
maximum amount of ibuprofen for adults is 800 milligrams per dose or 3200 mg per day (4
maximum doses). Avoid taking ibuprofen if you are taking aspirin to prevent stroke or heart
attack. Ibuprofen can make aspirin less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels. You
should ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, or pain medicine.
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain
products together can cause you to get too much ibuprofen. Check the label to see if a medicine
contains ibuprofen or similar NSAIDs (aspirin, naproxen, ketoprofen). You should also avoid
drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
Naproxen (Aleve) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) pain reliever and fever
reducer that is commonly found over-the-counter in the form of Aleve and also as a prescription
tablet or liquid suspension. Naproxen is used to treat mild to moderate pain associated with a
wide variety of conditions, and is commonly used to relieve the inflammation, swelling,
stiffness, and joint pain associated with arthritis. Common uses for naproxen include the
treatment of mild to moderate pain associated with tendonitis, menstrual cramps, muscle aches,
headache, toothache, the common cold, gout, bursitis, and tendonitis. Naproxen can also relieve
the painful symptoms of arthritis, including the inflammation and stiffness of osteoarthritis,
juvenile arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Naproxen may be used in patients with ankylosing
spondylitis to relieve spinal joint pain. You should not use other NSAID medications while using
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naproxen, both prescription and nonprescription NSAIDs such as ketoprofen, aspirin, or
ibuprofen. You should also not combine naproxen with blood thinners (anticoagulants) or steroid
medications. Naproxen is usually prescribed as one tablet taken every 8 to 12 hours for as long as
symptoms last. Treatment should not last longer than 10 days. Patients should not take more than
two tablets in an 8- to 12-hour period. Naproxen may cause severe allergic reactions in rare
cases, especially in people allergic to aspirin.
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Reference Page
1. Retrieved from http://www.drugwatch.com on January 30, 2012
2. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com on January 30, 2012
3. Retrieved from http://www.drugs.com on January 30, 2012