Risk Factors for an Adverse Cardiovascular Event Associated with Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Including Selective Inhibitors of Cyclooxygenase-2)

 

Risk factors for an adverse cardiovascular event in a patient taking NSAIDS:

(1) high doses of NSAIDs

(2) prolonged use (continuous or most days of the month)

(3) past history of an adverse cardiovascular event

(4) cigarette smoking

(5) other risk factors for cardiovascular disease (diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, etc)

(6) concurrent therapy with a drug that interferes with NSAID metabolism

 

Some patients may take more than one NSAID, so it is important to ask about all medications including those taken over-the-counter.

 

It is important to ask patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease about NSAID use. It is important to consider alternative therapies for management of pain that is chronic or severe.