CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (standard or coxibs) - prescribing issues
In the right clinical topic?
Age from 1 month onwards
This CKS topic outlines the factors that need to be considered when prescribing a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The main focus is on how to minimize the risks of adverse effects (including those from potentially hazardous drug interactions), and what to do when adverse effects do occur. The management of people with upper gastrointestinal ulcers associated with NSAIDs is discussed separately (see the CKS topic on Dyspepsia - proven peptic ulcer), and the management of low-dose aspirin is discussed in the CKS topic on Antiplatelet treatment.
Because the main focus of this CKS topic is on the adverse effects of NSAIDs, and adverse effects are largely due to systemic absorption, questions about the route of administration (oral, intramuscular, intravenous, rectal, topical) are not specifically addressed.
Questions about the effectiveness of, and indications for, NSAIDs are addressed in separate CKS topics on:
The target audience for this CKS topic is healthcare professionals working within the NHS in England, and providing first contact or primary health care. Patient information from NHS Choices is intended to be printed and given to people with this condition or their carers.
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement