Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or NSAIDs are used to treat fever, muscle aches, headaches, arthritis and inflammation.  Over 22 million prescription strength NSAID prescriptions are written every year in the UK and over 70 million in the US.  These numbers are for prescriptions not just the everyday common over-the-counter products that we all use every day. 

NSAIDs work and that is why they are widely popular but they don’t come without risk.  When taken for a long time or at high doses NSAIDs increase your risk of stomach ulcers.  These ulcers are generally referred to as peptic ulcers.

Ulcers used to be blamed on stress and spicy food but new research is showing two more likely causes:  NSAID usage and a gut bacteria Helicobacter pylori.

 

Common NSAIDs:

  • Ibuprofen
  • Aspirin
  • Naproxen
  • Diclofenac

 

Due to the aging population the use of NSAIDs will increase over the next years.  Many people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis regularly take NSAIDs.

 

Benefits of NSAIDs:

  • Easily Available (over-the-counter)
  • Inexpensive
  • Non-Habit Forming (unlike Opiod pain killers)
  • Work Well

 

Taking an NASID medication with milk or food may help make it easier on your stomach.

 

Use NASIDs with Caution:

  • Have now or have had stomach ulcers.
  • If you currently have kidney problems.
  • Currently taking any steroid medication.
  • Currently taking blood thinning medication
  • If you are combining two  or more pain-relief medications.

 

Do NOT Use:

  • Pregnant or breast feeding.
  • Not recommended for children.

 

Risk Factors:

  • Over 65
  • Previous ulcer history
  • Taking NSAIDs in high doses or more than one
  • Smoking
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Respiratory Disease

 

Be aware that many painkillers can show up in cough and cold medicines.  Read all ingredients on labels to determine if they contain aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

 

Symptoms that could indicate a problem:

  • Nausea – Vomiting
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Weight Loss
  • Stomach Pain
  • Dark Stools (This could indicate internal bleeding.)
  • Fatigue

 

Safety:

A safe dosage of Ibuprofen is 200-400 mg every 4 to 6 hours.  No more than 1200 mg per day.  Only take more under a doctor’s orders and watch for signs of problems.

DO NOT drink alcohol when taking pain medication.

If you have taken ibuprofen for 10 days in a row and are still having pain, see your health care professional.

Always let your doctor know if you have taken or are taking any NSAIDs regularly to alleviate pain.  This includes emergency room personnel.  Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can reduce your blood clotting ability.

 

Alternative:

A natural alternative to NSAIDs is White Willow Bark.  White Willow Bark is what aspirin was derived from.  This is a natural herb that can help alleviate pain and inflammation.  White Willow Bark can be found at health food stores or online in some supplements.

 

Need help with joint pain relief?  Try Joint Flex an all natural herbal supplement that contains White Willow Bark.

 

 

 


There’s something weird about how we treat NSAIDs. You grab a bottle of ibuprofen, take a couple after that sore shoulder acts up, and move on with your day. It feels harmless. For most people, occasional use is fine. But if you lean on these meds regularly — or push the doses higher than the label says — your stomach lining can start paying the price.

How NSAIDs Work (and Why That Matters for Your Stomach)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin — work by blocking an enzyme called COX. That enzyme helps your body produce prostaglandins, which drive pain, fever, and inflammation. Block it, and the pain drops. But prostaglandins also do something less obvious: they keep a protective mucus layer sitting on top of your stomach lining. Without them, acid starts eating the tissue underneath.

So the same mechanism that makes these drugs effective is also what makes them risky for your gut. Mayo Clinic notes that chronic or high-dose NSAID use is one of the leading causes of peptic ulcers in developed countries.

Symptoms to Watch For

Most NSAID-related stomach problems don’t announce themselves loudly. You might feel a dull ache or burning in your upper belly, especially after eating. Some people notice they feel full too fast. Others don’t feel anything until the problem gets serious.

More concerning signs include:

  • Black, tarry stools (a sign of digested blood)
  • Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
  • Sharp, persistent upper abdominal pain
  • Feeling faint or unusually fatigued (possible internal bleeding)

If you see any of those, stop the NSAID and call a doctor. Fast.

Who’s at Higher Risk?

Not everyone who takes ibuprofen is going to develop an ulcer. But the odds climb if you’re over 60, have a history of ulcers, or are taking other medications that irritate the stomach — like blood thinners or steroids. Regular alcohol use stacks the risk even higher. The NIH’s National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse points out that combining NSAIDs with alcohol or aspirin significantly raises the chance of a bleed.

How to Protect Yourself

If you’re already using NSAIDs regularly, a few tweaks make a real difference:

  • Take them with food or a full glass of water, never on an empty stomach.
  • Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time you can.
  • If you’re high-risk, ask your doctor about adding a proton pump inhibitor (like omeprazole) or an H2 blocker to shield your stomach.

For some people, a daily supplement approach makes sense. If you want to support your digestive system from the inside, natural supplements for everyday health woes can be a useful starting point. And if you’re curious about how small daily habits affect your gut, the side effects of overconsumption of common stimulants like coffee are worth reading.

When to See a Doctor

Don’t wait out a bad feeling. If you’ve been taking NSAIDs regularly and start noticing the symptoms above — especially black stools or vomiting blood — that’s not something to manage with antacid and willpower. Get it checked. Internal bleeding from an ulcer can become dangerous quickly, and early treatment usually prevents complications.

For some people, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a solid alternative for many. Topical NSAID gels for joints also carry far less stomach risk than the pills. And for mild, recurring aches, non-pharmaceutical options — heat, movement, targeted stretches — often do the job without any trade-off. If you want more on keeping your digestive system steady, check out our rooibos tea health benefits and side effects, which is a gentler alternative for many people dealing with mild gut irritation.

For a daily digestive support option, consider benefits and tips for better health that cover the whole picture. If you’re managing overall wellness while on regular NSAIDs, look into options like foods to eat and avoid that are easier on the stomach.

If you want targeted digestive support,

is worth exploring. And if you’re managing overall wellness while on regular NSAIDs, can be a smart complement.

The evidence on NSAID-related ulcers is solid. Mayo Clinic research and the NIH both confirm the link between chronic use and gastric damage. The good news is that most of the risk is manageable with small, consistent changes in how you take the medication.

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