Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medicines that are widely used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down a high temperature. They’re often used to relieve symptoms of headaches, painful periods, sprains and strains, colds and flu, arthritis, and other causes of long-term pain.

NSAIDs block the production of certain body chemicals that cause inflammation. NSAIDs are good at treating pain caused by slow tissue damage, such as arthritis pain. NSAIDs also work well fighting back pain, menstrual cramps and headaches.

What should you know about NSAIDs?

• Do not use an over-the-counter NSAID for longer than 10 days. Talk to your doctor first.
• The most common side effects from NSAIDs are stomach aches, heartburn, and nausea.
• Using NSAIDs may:
• Your risks are greater if you take NSAIDs at higher doses or for longer than the label says.

Most Common NSAIDs

• Aspirin (brand names include Bayer, Ecotrin, Bufferin)
• Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
• Meloxicam (Mobic)
• Celecoxib (Celebrex)
• Indomethacin (Indocin)

They block the effects of special enzymes — specifically Cox-1 and Cox-2 enzymes. These enzymes play a key role in making prostaglandins. By blocking the Cox enzymes, NSAIDs stop your body from making as many prostaglandins. This means less swelling and less pain.

Ibuprofen is an everyday painkiller for a range of aches and pains, including back pain, period pain, toothache. It also treats inflammation such as strains and sprains, and pain from arthritis. It’s available as tablets and capsules, and as a syrup that you swallow.

IBUPROFEN INDICATIONS Like other OTC pain relievers, ibuprofen temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to headache, backache, the common cold, minor pain of arthritis, toothache, menstrual cramps, and muscular aches, and temporarily reduces fever.

NSAIDs work to reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting enzymes, called cyclooxygenases (COX). By inhibiting COX, NSAIDs help to prevent and/or reduce pain and inflammation. COX enzyme inhibition is also responsible for many of the side effects of NSAIDs.

The following list is an example of NSAIDs available:

• aspirin.
• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• diclofenac (Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren-XR, Zipsor, Zorvolex)
• diflunisal (Dolobid – discontinued brand)
• etodolac (Lodine – discontinued brand)
• ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• indomethacin (Indocin)

NSAIDs help decrease inflammation, pain, and fever. They do this by blocking the body’s production of a substance called prostaglandin. This substance promotes inflammation and fever by causing the release of various chemical signals in your body.