The use of nseds is very common, certainly, and with that said, one of the challenges oftentimes with nseds is recognizing that patients can take these medications on their own over the counter.

For example, naproxin, ibuprofen, these are available over the counter in the United States.

These drugs work by inhibiting Cox 1 and Cox 2 cyclooxygenase, and by inhibiting these enzymes, that can result in a reduction in prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins are important mediators in fever, inflammation, and pain.

So, n-seds, by inhibiting cox 1 and decrease progestaglandins, which help reduce fever,

help reduce inflammation, and help reduce pain.

So you could imagine the circumstances in which these medications might be beneficial.

So they can help bring down that fever.

They can help manage inflammation in something like

rheumatoid arthritis or a sprained ankle. And obviously they can help reduce pain in some of those situations as well.

Ensets have a lot of side effects. GI bleeding is probably one of the most common side effects,

or at least one of the more concerning side effects.

A stomach upset can happen.

It may progress to GI bleeding.

As we get older, we need to worry about elderly patients a little bit more.

We also need to worry about patients on anticoagulation, anti-platelet medications already that may be

at higher risk of bleeding. And in patients where we can't get away from using an N-SED we may use

stomach protection so examples an H2 blocker or a PPI like Omeprosol to help reduce the

risk of GI bleeding and stomach upset.

We can also take these medications or we should take these medications with food.

That can help with that stomach upset.

Another side effect with nseds is that they can potentially exacerbate CHF.

...