NSAID-Induced Ulcer Prophylaxis

NSAID-Induced Ulcer General Information

NSAID-Induced Ulcer is a common mucosal defect of the patient’s gastric tract; the main characteristic of this condition is the presence of open sores that are known to generally form on the inside of the individual’s stomach and / or esophagus. However, such lesions may be found anywhere in the patient’s gastric tract (including the proximal duodenum, gastric antrum, fundic mucosa, and so on).

Various risk factors are known to increase one’s chances of developing an ulcerous condition of the gastric tract. For example, clinical history of gastro-intestinal affections, daily stress, and other conditions may contribute to the forming of ulcerous lesions. Patients who are mechanically ventilated or individuals who are suffering from coagulopathy are also at a high risk of developing this disorder. However, if a patient is diagnosed with the presence of a NSAID-Induced Ulcer, then his or her clinical disease is due to prolonged therapy with any NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) medication. 

The common clinical manifestations of this medical condition are known to include the following symptoms: abdominal fullness, bloating, abdominal pain, waterbrash, vomiting, nausea, hematemesis (bloody vomit), melena, weight loss, loss of appetite, and so on. In rare, cases, the presence of an ulcerous lesion may trigger a duodenal and / or gastric perforation. This condition causes severe pain and requires immediate medical attention (that generally consists in a surgical procedure).

NSAID-Induced Ulcer Prophylaxis

Studying and applying NSAID-Induced Ulcer Prophylaxis is a much better alternative to following a therapy option against an already developed clinical affection. The intake of various medical products may prove an effective way of preventing a patient from experiencing this medical disorder. Some of the most common medications that are employed for this purpose are proton pump inhibitors, H2-receptor blockers, Sucralfate, antacid remedies, Prostaglandin analogue agents, and so on.

Although the medical products that we have listed above have proven their high effectiveness when it comes to preventing the development of ulcerous lesions, most NSAID-Induced Ulcer Prophylaxis guide-books emphasize on the importance of a healthy nutrition for the patient’s well being. For this reason, we recommend all individuals who want to diminish their risks of developing this unpleasant condition to consult with a nutritionist and work out an effective diet that should contain all the needed nutrients, minerals and vitamins.

Recent studies regarding NSAID-Induced Ulcer Prophylaxis have proven that antacid medications are highly effective in preventing the unwanted development of this medical condition. However, the use of H2-receptor blockers (such as Ranitidine) is much more common in the prophylaxis of this clinical illness, although their effectiveness is known to range from one clinical case to another. Sucralfate is another medical agent that is widely prescribed as part of the NSAID-Induced Ulcer Prophylaxis routines, although its effectiveness is much lower than that of the two medical products that have been listed above. For this reason, this medication is the main drug of choice only when a therapy with other prophylactic remedies is considered inappropriate.

The use of proton pump inhibitors is also an important part of the average NSAID-Induced Prophylaxis routine, as several studies have shown that a prophylactic treatment with such remedies may prevent bleeding episodes (a complication of the ulcerous lesions). Such medicines are widely employed by patients who want to reduce their chances of developing this unpleasant gastric disorder as they do not present any signs of high toxicity. Several adjustments may be performed regarding the individual’s diet. Another important part of the prophylactic routine is that any individual who is following a prolonged therapy with any type of NSAID should undergo regular medical check ups in order to see how his or her therapy affects their general health condition. This enables the patient’s health care provider take the necessary adjustments to the individual’s therapy routine. Most physicians recommend patients to avoid any factor that is known to elevate their levels of gastric acidity.

NSAID-Induced Ulcer Treatment

The medicines that are effective in the prophylaxis of this medical condition (NSAID-Induced Ulcer) are also affective when employed in the therapy of this medical condition. In other words, an individual who is diagnosed with the presence of this gastric medical disorder may engage in a therapy with mucosal protective agents, H2-blockers, proton pump inhibitors, and so on. The most common H2-blockers which are employed in such cases include Nizatidine, Cimetidine, Famotidine and also Ranitidine; such medicines effectively reduce the organism’s production of gastric acid, enabling a faster and more effective healing of the patient’s sores (wounds). Such drugs are often prescribed to be taken in before bed time (a single dose per day is generally enough). The average therapy span with such medications should not exceed 2 months.

Antibiotic therapy may also be required, especially if the individual also presents one or more adjacent bacterial infections. If the patient’s ulcerous condition does not improve with medication treatment, a surgical approach must be considered. There are three types of medical operations which could be employed in the therapy of this medical condition (NSAID-Induced Ulcer); they are: vagotomy, pyloroplasty and antrectomy.