Ján Rajec, Milan Kriška, Roman Hudec, Adriana Bublová
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been already used for a long time for their various pharmacological effects in the symptomatic therapy of different diseases. The high consumption of NSAIDs is further potentiated by fact that more of these medications belong to over the counter drugs. As for the risk of usage, NSAIDs are rated among first 5 classes of drugs. Especially long-term treatment may be associated with severe adverse drug reactions at different organ levels. Except for well known toxicity, potential cardiotoxicity of NSAIDs is being intensively discussed. Relatively frequent interactions of NSAIDs may have serious consequences for the patient. The clinical relevancy of the interaction between acetylsalicylic acid used in cardiovascular prevention and ibuprofen has been documented. The rational usage of NSAIDs in the present trend of aggressive pharmacotherapy and frequent polypharmacy is relevant particularly in older polymorbid patients.