Non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are among the most commonly prescribed medications. These drugs act on an enzyme called cyclooxygenase to block the productions of prostaglandins, substances that induce and aggravate inflammation.
Unfortunately, there are many prostaglandins and some of them are also responsible for several normal and important functions such as maintenance of the protective layer of the stomach and blood flow to the kidneys.
Therefore, while NSAIDS are very effective for relieving pain and inflammation, they also have unwanted and sometimes unexpected side effects including stomach and small intestinal ulcers, ulcers involving the large bowel, kidney damage, rashes, and liver function abnormalities.
[It has been suggested that selective cyclooxygenase-2 blockers (drugs that block the prostaglandin responsible for inflammation while not blocking the prostaglandins responsible for maintenance of normal stomach protection) might lower the risk of stomach-related events.]
Gastrointestinal side effects have been most commonly seen in patients with certain risk factors such as: age greater than 65, history of alcohol and cigarette use, history of steroid use, history of prior ulcers, and use of more than one NSAID at a time. Rheumatoid arthritis patients also seem to be at higher risk because they often have other disease conditions and are usually taking other medicines […]

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