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How TRIPS Treaty Obligations Limit Access to Generic Medicines

How TRIPS Treaty Obligations Limit Access to Generic Medicines

Pain Catastrophizing: CBT Tools to Reduce Distress

Pain Catastrophizing: CBT Tools to Reduce Distress

Splitting Doses: How Lowering Peak Concentrations Can Reduce Medication Side Effects

Splitting Doses: How Lowering Peak Concentrations Can Reduce Medication Side Effects

Medical Society Guidelines on Generic Drug Use: What Doctors Really Think

Medical Society Guidelines on Generic Drug Use: What Doctors Really Think

Patent Litigation: How Authorized Generics Undermine Generic Competition

Patent Litigation: How Authorized Generics Undermine Generic Competition

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GI Risks from NSAIDs: What You Need to Know About Stomach Damage and Prevention

When you take an NSAID, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Also known as non-opioid pain relievers, these medications include common drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. They’re everywhere—your medicine cabinet, the pharmacy shelf, your doctor’s prescription pad. But behind the relief they offer lies a quiet danger: gastrointestinal (GI) risks, damage to the stomach and intestines caused by long-term or even short-term NSAID use. This isn’t rare. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people end up in the hospital because of NSAID-related stomach problems.

The problem starts when NSAIDs block enzymes that protect your stomach lining. Without those enzymes, stomach acid eats away at the tissue, leading to ulcers, bleeding, or even perforations. You don’t need to take them for months to be at risk. Even a few days of regular use can trigger trouble, especially if you’re over 60, take blood thinners, have a history of ulcers, or use multiple NSAIDs at once. Proton pump inhibitors, medications that reduce stomach acid production. Also known as PPIs, these drugs like omeprazole and esomeprazole are often prescribed alongside NSAIDs to lower the risk—but they’re not a perfect shield. Some people still get damaged. And long-term PPI use brings its own set of issues, like nutrient deficiencies and increased infection risk. It’s a trade-off, not a fix.

What’s surprising is that many people don’t realize their stomach pain, bloating, or black stools are warning signs. They assume it’s just indigestion or stress. But GI bleeding from NSAIDs can be silent until it’s life-threatening. That’s why knowing your risk factors matters more than ever. If you’re on daily NSAIDs for arthritis, back pain, or migraines, you’re not just managing symptoms—you’re playing Russian roulette with your gut. Alternatives like acetaminophen for pain or physical therapy for inflammation might be safer long-term. And if you must keep using NSAIDs, talk to your doctor about the lowest effective dose, the shortest duration, and whether a protective medication is truly right for you.

The posts below dive into real-world cases, hidden dangers, and practical steps to protect yourself. You’ll find what works, what doesn’t, and how to spot trouble before it’s too late. Whether you’re taking NSAIDs now or just thinking about it, this collection gives you the facts you won’t get from a drug label.

NSAID Safety: GI Risks, Kidney Effects, and How to Monitor Them

NSAID Safety: GI Risks, Kidney Effects, and How to Monitor Them

NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can silently damage your stomach and kidneys. Learn the real risks, who’s most at danger, and how to monitor for hidden complications before it’s too late.