Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs called NSAIDs help relieve joint swelling, stiffness, and pain — and are among the most commonly used painkillers for people with any type of arthritis. You may know them by the names such as ibuprofen, naproxen, Motrin, or Advil.
While NSAIDs are reasonably safe, when taken for months or years, they can cause stomach ulcers and may increase your risk for heart attack. Cox-2 inhibitors like Celebrex are more stomach-friendly, but may have a slightly higher risk of heart problems than milder NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Recent research also indicates that people who take daily aspirin for their heart should talk to their doctors before taking any NSAID regularly for pain. NSAIDs may alter the effect of aspirin.
But here’s the question that White at the Arthritis Foundation tells her patients to ask themselves: “How does a slight risk of heart disease compare to the risk of arthritis pain itself?”
To reduce the chance of side effects, turn to NSAIDs as a short-term solution if possible, says White. Ask your doctor to prescribe the lowest effective dose, or a combination of drugs.
To protect your heart, it also helps to control other risk factors of heart disease such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol.
