NSAIDS (Drugs used in inflammatory diseases) Flashcards
When is paracetamol preferred over NSAIDs?
- In the elderly- more at risk of adverse effects from NSAIDs
- Patients with hypertension, CVD, Renal impairment, GI issues
- Patients of medicines that interact with NSAIDs e.g. Warfarin
What are the usual doses for Aspirin is an antiplatelet + an analgesic?
- Anelgesic and anti platelet- inhibit thrombus formation in vessels in primary and secondary prevention of CVD. Standard dose is 75mg daily (can be increased to 300mg od)
Analgesic- standard dose is 300-900mg every 4 hours PRN
Analgesic effects start soon after 1st dose and full effect is obtained within a week
Anti-inflammatory effects- Effect may not be achieved for up to 3 weeks
What are the special patient groups where aspirin is contra-indicated or cautioned?
- Not used in under 16 year olds- due to risk of Reye’s syndrome. Only EXCEPTION is if child has Kawasaki syndrome
- Patients with peptic ulcerations
- Bleeding disorders
-Severe cardiac failure - Elderly- at risk of NSAID side effects- GI, bleeding kidney problems
- Cautioned in asthma- can cause bronchospasm
What are some of the NSAID drug interactions?
- Drugs that increase risk go GI irritation and bleeding:
SSRIs
NSAIDs
Streroids
Anticoagulants - Drugs that increase risk of renal side effects
Bisphosphonates - Drugs where Aspirin can increase the toxicity of other drugs
Methotrexate
What are the ‘classes’ of NSAIDs with examples?
- Standard non-selective NSAIDs e.g. Ibuprofen, Indometacin, Mefenamic acid, Naproxen
- Standard NSAID- non-selective, but have a COX-2 preference e.g. Diclofenac, Etodolac, Meloxicam
- Coxibs- COX-2 selective e.g. Celecoxib, Etoricoxib
What are the side effects of NSAIDs?
- GI side effects- epithelial damage, ulceration, bleeding
- Renal effects- can cause sodium and water retention leading to oedema and hypertension. Also, AKIs
- Cardiovascular- due to increased cox-2 inhibition over cox-1. Increased risk of thrombotic events e.g. MI, stroke with cox-2 inhibitors and non-selective NSAIDs e.g. Diclofenac and high dose ibuprofen
- Bronchospasm- caution in asthma
What causes the GI side effects associated with NSAIDs?
e.g. Epithelial damage, ulceration and bleeding
- This is caused by:
1. Suppression of physiological homeostatic prostanoid (COX-1) inhibition:
- Reduced mucus production
- Reduced bicarbonate production
- Reduced mucosal blood flow
2. Topical irritation and direct epithelial damage
Which class of NSAIDs have a lower risk of GI side effects and why?
All NSAIDs have a GI risk, but the coxibs (selective COX-2 inhibitors) have the lowest risk as they inhibit the prostanoids of cox-2 which are involved in inflammation = side effects
Also, Selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme spare COX-1 in the gastric mucosa and, hence, do not inhibit the production of mucosal prostaglandins = reduced GI disturbance.
Which NSAIDs are considered high, intermediate and low risk of causing GI disturbance?
Highest= Piroxicam, Ketoprofen, Ketorolac
Intermediate= Indometacin, Diclofenac, Naproxen
Lowest= Ibuprofen and the coxibs
Can you take multiple NSAIDs at the same time?
NO!
How should NSAIDs be prescribed/taken?
- Should prescribe the lowest risk drug at the lowest dose for the shortest duration
- Don’t use multiple NSAIDs simultaneously
- Take with food
- Often prescribed with gastroprotection e.g a PPI
What side effects should patients report when taking NSAIDs?
- GI ulceration
- Signs of gi bleeding such as dark stools and coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
Which NSAIDs have the highest risk of causing adverse cardiovascular effects?
- Diclofenac= 150mg/day
- Ibuprofen = 2.4g + a day
Lowest = Naproxen 1g
Which NSAID has the lowest risk of causing adverse cardiovascular effects?
Naproxen 1g/day
- and there is no evidence of risk with ibuprofen at a dose of 1.2g per day or less
Which NSAIDs have been contra-indicated in patients with Ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and heart failure (others are just cautioned)?
- COX-2 inhibitors- Celecoxib, Etoricoxib
- Diclofenac
- High dose ibuprofen