title: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
abstract: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including COX-2 selective drugs, are often used for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain,including osteoarthritis, trauma, overuse syndromes, and compression fractures. Although these medications are often well tolerated in the young and otherwise healthy patient, the chronic use of these medications can lead to multiple medical problems, most commonly related to the gastrointestinal tract. Recently, concerns about cardiovascular adverse effects have been raised, particularly in the COX-2 drugs. Dosing and duration of therapy should be adjusted for comorbidities. CBC and renal and hepatic function should be checked at intervals of 3 to 6 months, depending on the patient.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, Box 356428, Seattle, WA 98195-3414, USA. carind@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Carin E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Dugowson
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gnanashanmugam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors