What is the most important information I should know about medicines called Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)?
NSAIDs can cause serious side effects, including:

• Increased risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death.This risk may happen early in treatment and may increase:

• Increased risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears (perforation) of the esophagus (tube leading from the mouth to the stomach), stomach and intestines:

NSAIDs should only be used:

• if you have had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAIDs.
• right before or after heart bypass surgery.

• have liver or kidney problems
• have high blood pressure
• have asthma
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking NSAIDs at about 20 weeks of pregnancy or later may harm your unborn baby. If you need to take NSAIDs for more than 2 days when you are between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, your healthcare provider may need to monitor the amount of fluid in your womb around your baby. You should not take NSAIDs after about 30 weeks of pregnancy.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breast feed.

• new or worse high blood pressure
• heart failure
• liver problems including liver failure
• kidney problems including kidney failure
• low red blood cells (anemia)
• life-threatening skin reactions
• life-threatening allergic reactions
• Other side effects of NSAIDs include:stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

Get emergency help right away if you get any of the following symptoms:

Stop taking your NSAID and call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms:

If you take too much of your NSAID, call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away.

These are not all the possible side effects of NSAIDs. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about NSAIDs.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Aspirin is an NSAID but it does not increase the chance of a heart attack. Aspirin can cause bleeding in the brain, stomach, and intestines. Aspirin can also cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines.
• Some NSAIDs are sold in lower doses without a prescription (over-the-counter). Talk to your healthcare provider before using over-the-counter NSAIDs for more than 10 days.

If you would like more information about NSAIDs, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about NSAIDs that is written for health professionals.