NSAID-induced Gastrointestinal Injury: A Focused Update for Clinicians

Gastroenterologists care for users of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) when the vast population exposed to the medication class experiences a relatively uncommon serious gastrointestinal (GI) side effect. As serious adverse cardiovascular (CV) effects of these drugs have also been recognized, there remains continued confusion about the best treatment for patients who benefit from NSAID therapy and are at risk for GI and CV adverse events. Recognition of those patients at risk and strategies to reduce the adverse side effects of NSAIDs continues to provide an opportunity to improve patient outcomes. This review discusses the injury induced by these agents throughout the GI tract as well as strategies to prevent acute injury and reduce the development of serious adverse events. NSAID medication selection as well as GI cotherapy should balance individual patients’ GI and CV risks.