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 Next time you reach into the medicine cabinet seeking relief for a headache, backache or arthritis, be aware of important safety information for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs are also used to treat several other conditions, such as: 
 
 Osteoarthritis 
 
 Muscle aches 
 
 Backaches 
 
 Dental pain 
 
 Pain caused by gout 
 
 Bursitis, and 
 
 Menstrual cramps 
 
 They may also be used to reduce fever or relieve minor aches caused by the common cold. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs work by inhibiting production of prostaglandins—(by inhibiting an enzyme called cyclooxygenase). Like cortisone, NSAIDs are effective in reducing pain and inflammation often associated with joint and muscle diseases and injuries. In addition, the format and language contained throughout the labels of prescription NSAIDs will be updated to reflect the newest information available about the NSAID class. The prescription drugs in this group are used to treat several kinds of arthritis and other painful conditions. Prescription NSAIDs are an important treatment for the symptoms of many debilitating conditions, including arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis‎, gout and other rheumatological conditions. Examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and celecoxib (see Table 1 for a list of NSAIDs). See your doctor regularly to find out if you have these other strong risk factors, and commit yourself to taking care of them and of your health.” 
 
 July 9, 2015 
 
 back to top According to an FDA spokesman, the “FDA is strengthening an existing warning in prescription drug labels and over-the-counter (OTC) drug facts labels to indicate that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke, either of which can lead to death.” 
 
 The FDA has carefully reviewed the data for the last year and has found that in numerous studies it has been clear that the use of NSAIDS is associated with an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. This risk may be greater if you have heart disease or risk factors (for example, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes) for heart disease. In general, patients with heart disease or risk factors for it have a greater likelihood of heart attack or stroke following NSAID use than patients without these risk factors because they have a higher risk at baseline. People who have cardiovascular disease, particularly those who recently had a heart attack or cardiac bypass surgery, are at the greatest risk for cardiovascular adverse events associated with NSAIDs. This particular population is at very high risk—they are quite vulnerable and should avoid NSAIDs when possible. Take the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time possible,” Mahoney says. Because many prescription and OTC medicines contain NSAIDs, consumers should avoid taking multiple remedies with the same active ingredient.
– The FDA advised back in 2005 that non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, could up the risk of heart attack and stroke. But the agency is now boosting that warning, noting that drugs like ibuprofen (often sold under the Motrin IB brand), naproxen (Aleve), and celecoxib (Celebrex) may pose a risk even in small amounts and that these drugs should be used sparingly and for short periods, the New York Times reports. (Aspirin, although an NSAID, doesn't pose the same risk, the FDA notes.) Although an FDA review found that higher doses increased the risk of heart attack or stroke—and the risk may increase with length of use—"there is no period of use shown to be without risk," an FDA deputy director says. And while people with cardiovascular disease are more at risk for being adversely affected by NSAIDs, "everyone may be at risk—even people without an underlying risk for cardiovascular disease," the FDA rep says. NSAIDs decrease production of prostaglandins, chemicals spewed out after an injury that trigger inflammation, WNCN reports. Per the FDA review, over-the-counter NSAIDs could up the risk of heart attack and stroke by about 10%, low-dose prescription meds by 20%, and higher-dose prescription NSAIDs by 50%, with "significant variability" in each estimate, an Emory University medical professor tells the Times. One NSAID, Vioxx, was taken off shelves in 2004 after being linked to 140,000 heart attacks over a five-year period, Bloomberg notes. The director of Northwestern University's Center for Communication and Health says that "one of the underlying messages (is) there are no completely safe pain relievers, period." How to cut down on potential NSAID risks, per the Harvard Health Blog: Take the lowest dose that works, limit how long you take it, and never take more than one NSAID at once. (Meanwhile, Benadryl may up your risk for Alzheimer's.)