Frequently Asked Questions About NSAIDs

What are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?

NSAIDs are medicines that are used to treat pain and redness, swelling, and heat (inflammation) from medical conditions such as

  • Different types of arthritis6
  • Menstrual cramps and other types of short-term pain6

What is the most important information I should know about NSAID medicine?

NSAIDs may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This chance increases

  • With longer use of NSAID medicines
  • In people who have heart disease

NSAID medicines should never be used right before or after a heart surgery called a “coronary artery bypass graft” (CABG).

NSAID medicines can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines at any time during treatment. Ulcers and bleeding

  • Can happen without warning symptoms
  • May cause death

The chance of a person getting an ulcer or bleeding increases with

  • Taking blood thinning medicines or medicines called steroids
  • Longer use
  • Smoking
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Older age
  • Having poor health

NSAID medicines should only be used

  • Exactly as prescribed
  • At the lowest dose possible for your treatment
  • For the shortest time needed

Who should not take an NSAID?


Do not take an NSAID medicine

  • If you had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAIDs
  • For pain right before or after heart bypass surgery

Tell your healthcare professional

  • About all of your medical conditions
  • About all of the medicines you take. NSAIDs and some other medicines can interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Keep a list of your medicines to show to your healthcare professional and pharmacist
  • If you are pregnant. NSAID medicines should not be used by pregnant women late in their pregnancy
  • If you are breast-feeding. Talk to your healthcare professional

What are the possible side effects of NSAIDs?

Serious side effects include

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart failure from body swelling (fluid retention)
  • Kidney problems including kidney failure
  • Bleeding and ulcers in the stomach and intestine
  • Low red blood cells (anemia)
  • Life-threatening skin reactions
  • Life-threatening allergic reactions
  • Liver problems including liver failure
  • Asthma attacks in people who have asthma

Other side effects include

  • Stomach pain
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Gas
  • Heartburn
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness

Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Weakness in one part or side of your body
  • Slurred speech
  • Swelling of the face or throat

Stop your NSAID medicine and call your healthcare professional right away if you have any of the following:

  • Nausea
  • More tired or weaker than usual
  • Itching
  • Your skin or eyes look yellow
  • Stomach pain
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Vomit blood
  • There is blood in your bowel movement or it is black and sticky like tar
  • Unusual weight gain
  • Skin rash or blisters with fever
  • Swelling of the arms and legs, hands and feet

These are not all the side effects of NSAID medicines. Talk to your healthcare professional or pharmacist for more information about NSAID medicines.

Other information about NSAIDs

  • Aspirin is an NSAID medicine but it does not increase the chance of a heart attack. Aspirin can cause bleeding in the brain, stomach, and intestines. Aspirin can also cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines
  • Some of these NSAID medicines are sold in lower doses without a prescription (over-the-counter). Talk to your healthcare professional before using over-the-counter NSAIDs for more than 10 days

NSAID medicines that need a prescription

Generic Name Trade Name
Celecoxib Celebrex®
Diclofenac FLECTOR® Patch, Cataflam®, Voltaren®,
Arthrotec® (combined with misoprostol)
Diflunisal Dolobid®
Etodolac Lodine®, Lodine® XL
Fenoprofen Nalfon®, Nalfon® 200
Flurbiprofen Ansaid®
Ibuprofen Motrin®, Advil®, Tab-Profen®, Vicoprofen® (combined with hydrocodone), Combunox® (combined with oxycodone)
Indomethacin Indocin®, Indocin® SR, Indo-Lemmon®, Indomethagan®
Ketoprofen Oruvail®
Ketorolac Toradol®
Mefenamic Acid Ponstel®
Meloxicam Mobic®
Nabumetone Relafen®
Naproxen Naprosyn®, Anaprox®, Anaprox® DS, EC-Naproxyn®, Naprelan®, Naprapac® (copackaged with lansoprazole)
Oxaprozin Daypro®
Piroxicam Feldene®
Sulindac Clinoril®
Tolmetin Tolectin®, Tolectin® DS, Tolectin® 600

If your healthcare professional thinks FLECTOR® Patch is right for you, download and print a coupon for up to $30 off your co-pay!
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INDICATIONS

FLECTOR® Patch (diclofenac epolamine topical patch) 1.3% is used for the topical treatment of acute (short-term) pain due to minor strains, sprains, and contusions (bruises).

FLECTOR® Patch is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Use FLECTOR® Patch exactly as your healthcare professional told you. Do not use more. Do not use for a longer time.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • NSAIDs may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This chance increases
    • With longer use of NSAID medicines 
    • In people who have heart disease
  • NSAID medicines should never be used right before or after a heart surgery called “coronary artery bypass graft” (CABG)
  • NSAID medicines can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines at any time during treatment. These can happen without symptoms and may cause death. The chance of a person getting an ulcer or bleeding increases with
    • Taking blood thinning medicines or medicines called steroids
    • Longer use
    • Smoking
    • Drinking alcohol
    • Older age
    • Having poor health

Do not use FLECTOR® Patch if you know you are allergic to diclofenac or have had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reactions when taking aspirin or another NSAID medicine.

FLECTOR® Patch should not be applied to broken or damaged skin due to any cause, such as cuts, burns, infected wound, or rash with oozing fluid.

Before using FLECTOR® Patch, tell your healthcare professional about the following:

  • Any and all other health or medical problems you may have
  • All other medications (prescription and nonprescription) you are taking. Do not take other medicines without your healthcare professional’s approval
  • If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. NSAID medicines should not be used by pregnant women late in their pregnancy
  • If you are breast-feeding

Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: shortness of breath or trouble breathing, chest pain, weakness in one part or side of your body, slurred speech, or swelling of the face or throat. Stop using FLECTOR® Patch and call your healthcare professional right away if you have any of the following symptoms: nausea, more tired or weaker than usual, itching, your skin or eyes look yellow, stomach pain, flu-like symptoms, vomit blood, bowel movement contains blood or is black and sticky like tar, unusual weight gain, skin rash or blisters with fever, or swelling of the arms, legs, hands, or feet.

The most common side effects seen with FLECTOR® Patch were skin reactions (including itching, inflamed skin, burning) at the site of treatment, stomach discomfort or intestine problems (including nausea, altered taste, upset stomach), and nervous disorders (including headache, tingling of the skin, sleepiness).

Avoid contact of FLECTOR® Patch with eyes, nose, or mouth, and wash hands after applying, handling, or removing FLECTOR® Patch. FLECTOR® Patch still contains medicine even after use. Keep all FLECTOR® Patches out of the reach of children and pets. If a child or pet puts FLECTOR® Patch in their mouth, seek medical help immediately. Children should not use FLECTOR® Patch.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.