NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are the go-to meds for pain, inflammation, and fever. Think ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac — and stronger options like ketorolac. They work by blocking enzymes that cause pain and swelling, which makes them useful for headaches, muscle pain, sprains, arthritis flares, and some post-surgery aches.
If you have short-term pain from an injury or dental work, an NSAID often brings faster relief than acetaminophen for inflammatory pain. The trick is to use the lowest dose that helps and for the shortest time needed. For mild aches, over-the-counter ibuprofen or naproxen works well. For severe pain after a procedure, stronger prescription NSAIDs like ketorolac may be used — but they carry higher risks and usually have strict limits on how long you can take them.
NSAIDs are effective, but they’re not harmless. The big risks are stomach irritation, ulcers, and bleeding — especially if you take them long-term, combine them with blood thinners, or drink alcohol. They can raise blood pressure, make heart failure worse in some people, and harm kidneys when you’re dehydrated or already have kidney disease. NSAIDs also interact with common drugs: blood thinners (warfarin, DOACs), some blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors, ARBs), and SSRIs can increase bleeding risk.
If you’ve had a stomach ulcer, heart disease, or chronic kidney disease, talk with your doctor before taking NSAIDs. Pregnant people should avoid NSAIDs in the third trimester. Watch for warning signs — black stools, severe belly pain, swelling, shortness of breath, or reduced urine output — and seek care right away.
Want to lower risk? Take NSAIDs with food to reduce stomach upset, avoid mixing different NSAIDs, skip alcohol while using them, and don’t exceed the recommended dose or duration. If pain persists beyond a few days despite proper use, check in with your healthcare provider instead of simply increasing dose or duration.
Looking for alternatives? For pure pain relief without anti-inflammatory action, acetaminophen can be safer for the stomach and often helps headaches and mild pain — read our acetaminophen guide for safe dosing. Topical NSAID gels give targeted relief for joint or muscle pain with less systemic exposure. For muscle-related pain, options like cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) may help alongside physical therapy. And if you’re reading about ketorolac, check our ketorolac article to learn about new delivery methods and safety advice.
Bottom line: NSAIDs work well when used smartly. Know the risks, use the right dose for the right time, and talk to your clinician if you have heart, kidney, or stomach issues or if you take other medicines. If you want deeper reads, try our pieces on ketorolac innovations and acetaminophen dosing to compare choices and practical tips.
