Active ingredients (generic names) | IBUPROFEN (i-bu-pro-fen) INDOMETACIN (in-doe-met-a-sin) Other NSAIDs (Cox 1 and Cox 2 inhibitors) Not included in this monograph — see individual monograph or AMH for information: - Aspirin
- Celecoxib
- Diclofenac
- Etoricoxib
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Mefenamic acid
- Meloxicam
- Naproxen
- Piroxicam
|
What it is used for | - Dental pain
- Fever (ibuprofen)
- Gout (indometacin)
- Kidney stone (renal colic)
- Mild to moderate pain
- May be used with other pain medicines (eg morphine, paracetamol)
- Period pain (ibuprofen)
- Reducing swelling and inflammation in arthritis, sprains and injuries
|
How it works | - Prostaglandins in body cause redness, swelling (inflammation), pain at site of injury.
NSAIDs stop body making prostaglandins
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Side effects | 
Stomach trouble
(eg bleeding ulcer) |
 Warnings | - People who get asthma when they take aspirin
Stomach trouble
or ulcer before 
if needed for more than one week Interactions — Do not use together without medical consult - Blood thinning medicines (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban)
ACE inhibitor/ARB + diuretic + NSAID Dangerous medicine combination that can cause kidney failure. |
 Tell the patient | - Use lowest dose for shortest period of time
- Work best when taken at the same time as regular paracetamol (for chronic pain)
- OK to take with low dose aspirin
- Separate by 30 minutes
- Talk to your Doctor if wanting to use NSAIDs
 - Needed for more than a short time, if long term need, may given another medicine to
protect stomach
- OR You have very dark/blood-coloured vomit or faeces (guna), swollen ankles, trouble
breathing
- OR You have chest pain, irregular heartbeat, sore leg veins and feel faint (CV adverse
effects)
Warning stickers: 10a, 12, 19b, B – indometacin also A |
Check | - Any symptoms of reflux and heartburn
If using for a long time — check kidney function (UEC), liver function tests (LFT),
FBC before starting medicine, then at least once a year |
