PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Foong Way David Tai
AU  - Mark E McAlindon
TI  - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the gastrointestinal tract
AID  - 10.7861/clinmed.2021-0039
DP  - 2021 Mar 01
TA  - Clinical Medicine
PG  - 131--134
VI  - 21
IP  - 2
4099  - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/21/2/131.short
4100  - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/21/2/131.full
SO  - Clin Med2021 Mar 01; 21
AB  - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used commonly but can cause foregut symptoms, peptic ulcer disease and small bowel enteropathy. Such iatrogenic injury can be complicated by gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation. Limiting NSAID use or co-administration with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease and rates of complications. Selective cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors are as effective as adding PPIs in preventing upper and lower gastrointestinal complications. COX-2 inhibitors are suggested in those with high cardiovascular risk and the addition of PPI in those with high risk of bleeding. Where required, COX-2 inhibitor monotherapy may be preferred in unexplained iron deficiency anaemia.