DUAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGs USEJ of ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM (January 2008, Vol.59)"Inadequate prescription therapy pain management, lack of doctor-patient communication about over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and easy accessibility of OTC medications may contribute to patients using more than 1 medication to manage pain. It is well established that taking multiple nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can lead to serious gastrointestinal problems. Little is known about whether use of more than 1 NSAID (i.e., dual use) is related to patient self-reported outcomes, specifically health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We hypothesized that dual use of NSAIDs would be associated with reduced health-related quality of life."
Preamble
It is well established that taking Anti-inflammatory Drugs can lead to serious gastrointestinal problems, but little was known about multiple (dual) Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use. Prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce pain and inflammation, particularly for musculoskeletal conditions. Arthritis affects one-third of all adult Americans and it is expected that, by 2020, twenty percent will experience resultant limitations in their daily activities. Arthritis-related conditions are the leading cause of disability in the US.
Read more about ARTHRITIS ... NSAIDs (Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) are one of the most commonly prescribed medications worldwide. Among individuals with arthritis, almost 30% report daily use of Over The Counter (OTC) NSAIDs. Given the availability of both prescription and OTC NSAIDs, many patients may be taking both concomitantly (dual use). So, how many? This despite the fact that it is now well established that taking multiple NSAIDs often leads to adverse events, including serious gastrointestinal events.
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Patients from a Managed Care Organisation who filled in more than one NSAID prescription in a six month period were interviewed.
Results"We found that 26% of the NSAID population reported dual use of a prescription and OTC NSAID, or the use of 2 prescription NSAIDs or 2 OTC NSAIDs." For example, the use of aspirin and ibuprofen.Dual use of NSAIDs was associated with poorer health-related quality of life. One quarter of the participants were suffering from chronic lower back pain ... and a half of the participants had RA or OA. The result: Dual NSAID use was a significant independent predictor of lower systemic health scores (by a massive 351%).
Conclusion"Patients may self-manage their pain to improve their daily activities by taking more than one NSAID. However, by attempting to obtain symptom relief, patients may be putting themselves at risk for complications (a lower health-related quality of life). Health providers are likely unaware of their patients' risk."
Comments from researcher Dan MurphyNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are extensively used and readily available, both by prescription and over-the-counter. These drugs are associated with numerous side effects, including some that are catastrophic, including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage, liver damage, heart attacks and strokes.
MAXIMUM DOSESThe maximum dose is defined as that dose above which you will almost certainly suffer harm from toxicity. And in any case you get no increased pain relief by exceeding the maximum dose, so it's just plain dumb.Which toxic side effects?
OPIOIDSThe exception that proves the rule about Dual Antiinflammatory Drugs is Morphine. It may be taken in combination with other medications but ...
"The opioid/acetaminophen or opioid/NSAID combination drugs are fine for short-term use, but acetaminophen is poisonous to the kidneys and liver when used for a long time or in high doses. Many NSAIDs are toxic to the kidneys and stomach when taken for a long time or in high doses. WebMD
Morphine also causes severe constipation, amongst its many nasty side effects. By sedating the nervous system - reducing pain - it also drastically decreases the nervous input the muscles of the gut. The solution isn't yet more medications with yet more side effects, but Nature's simplest remedy. Read Beetroot constipation for more information about SOLUBLE fibre and its effect on the colon. BEETROOT CONSTIPATION ...
Arthritis in lower back can absolutely ruin your life... but, there's hope with Chiropractic!
ARTHRTIS IN LOWER BACK ... |
