Prolonged use of
NSAIDs can have serious side effects, such as stomach ulcers. This has meant that there has been
hesitation in introducing the widespread use of these drugs against the
progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Common side effects
includes:
Stomach upset and irritation
More uncommon side
effects include:
Nausea,
Vomiting,
Constipation
Diarrhoea
These
are fairly minor side effects although there can be more serious risks or rare
side effects, which become more severe when taken for long periods of
time.
The
most recognised of these is gastrointestinal ulceration and/or bleeding, which
can occur through chronic use of ibuprofen and can occur at any time, often
without any warning. Gastrointestinal
ulceration occurs because ibuprofen blocks the production of the stomach’s
protective mucus barrier.
For
this reason, patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulceration
are advised to avoid use or prolonged use of ibuprofen and should be monitored
closely during the period of use.
Liver
toxicity is also linked to the use of ibuprofen and can result in jaundice and
fatal hepatitis. The drug is usually
metabolised by the liver and so prolonged use can result in accumulation in the
liver, therefore increasing the risk of toxicity.