RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Reducing NSAID-induced gastrointestinal complications
JF Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin
JO Drug Ther Bull
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 18
OP 21
DO 10.1136/dtb.2011.02.0007
VO 49
IS 2
YR 2011
UL http://dtb.bmj.com/content/49/2/18.abstract
AB Relevant BNF section: BNF 10.1.1 Around 17 million items for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed annually in England alone.1 These drugs are associated with upper gastrointestinal complications.2 For example, each year, NSAIDs cause about 3,500 hospitalisations for, and 400 deaths from, ulcer bleeding in people aged 60 years or above.3 Aspirin, even in low doses, is also associated with gastrointestinal complications.4 5 Here we assess strategies for reducing gastrointestinal complications induced by NSAIDs, including aspirin and selective inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (coxibs).