US Pharm. 2008;33(3):11.

When it comes to treating inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, taking more than one nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) could lead to complications beyond the common gastrointestinal side effects associated with some NSAID products. The uncontrolled availability of OTC NSAIDs has led patients to mix products thinking that more is better. A study led by Stacey H. Kovac of Durham VA Medical Center and Duke University found that taking two NSAIDs (prescription, OTC, or both) was associated with lower scores on a test that evaluates a patient's health status.

The study uncovered that many patients failed to tell their physician that they were taking more than one NSAID. Another factor leading to the dual intake of NSAIDs could be the lack of clinical pain management in the first place.

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