Abstract

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).