duration of treatment
Last reviewed 01/2018
Acute flare-ups may only require treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the disease remains chronically active after six months, despite what is regarded as optimum therapy with non-steroidals, then other measures, e.g. disease modifying drugs in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, or, short term steroid therapy may be necessary.
The side-effects of NSAIDs especially in the elderly are well documented.
- all oral NSAIDs/COX-2 inhibitors have analgesic effects of a similar magnitude but vary in their potential gastrointestinal, liver and cardio-renal toxicity; therefore, when choosing the agent and dose, healthcare professionals should take into account individual patient risk factors, including age. When prescribing these drugs, consideration should be given to appropriate assessment and/or ongoing monitoring of these risk factors
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