GI effects of OTC analgesics: implications for product selection.

School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia at Richmond, USA.

Adverse GI effects of NSAIDs include dyspepsia, occult bleeding, overt bleeding and ulcer disease. Consequences of NSAID-induced GI toxicity include anemia, hospitalization, and death. External factors, such as drugs and alcohol, can disrupt the gastric barrier that protects the GI tract from erosive substances. Pharmacists should counsel patients who frequently use non-prescription analgesics and determine whether further medical evaluation is needed. In contrast to NSAIDs, acetaminophen has not been associated with GI toxicity of increased risk of GI tract bleeding.

PMID: 8824076 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]