Gastrointestinal injury from NSAID therapy

PREVIEW

Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and low-dose aspirin is accompanied by risk of upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) complications, some of which can be serious or even fatal. Management strategies to reduce this risk include gastroprotective pharmacotherapy, use of safer NSAIDs, and eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. In this article, Dr Lanas summarizes the GI risks associated with NSAID and low-dose aspirin therapy and weighs the efficacy of current risk management strategies.