Praktické lekárnictvo 2-3/2014

Adverse effects and drug interactions of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their management as seen by a pharmacist

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are encountered by pharmacists in their practice on a daily basis. These drugs, however, have a number of adverse effects and a relatively large interaction potential. Gastrointestinal tract injury, hepatopathy, nephropathy, and increased cardiovascular risk are among the most serious adverse effects. Drug interactions usually potentiate these risks. The article deals with particular adverse effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and also describes the quantitative difference in the rates of these risks among the individual agents from the class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The most common clinically significant drug interactions of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are presented in a table. Two case reports are included to demonstrate the management of the risks of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Keywords: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, adverse effects, drug interactions, pharmaceutical care.