NSAIDs are Nonsteroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs. They are also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents/analgesics (NSAIAs) or nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIMs). These are medication that have analgesic and antipyretic (fever reducing) effects as well as anti-inflammatory effects.
Popular among NSAIDs are the over the counter drugs, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Consumer Reports based on their comprehensive reviews of the scientific evidence state that "all NSAIDs should be used with caution: they can cause serious side effects, including stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, heart attack, and stroke. NSAIDs (except low–dose aspirin) may not be appropriate for people at risk of heart disease or stroke..."
Commonly used painkillers may protect against skin cancer
A new study suggests that aspirin and other similar painkillers may help protect against skin cancer. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings indicate that skin cancer prevention may be added to the benefits of these commonly used medications.
Previous studies suggest that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, which include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, as well as a variety of other nonprescription and prescription drugs, can decrease an individual's risk of developing some types of cancer. Sigrún Alba Jóhannesdóttir, BSc, of Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, and her colleagues looked to see if the medications might decrease the risk of the three major types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.
