Health-conscious consumers know that aspirin may cause stomach problems. What many people do not know, however, is that some popular alternatives to aspirin can cause the same problems.
Like aspirin users, people who take pain relievers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents should be aware of potential problems, including stomach upset, ulcers, fluid retention and kidney disorders.Aspirin and anti-inflammatory agents are often used to treat minor pain due to inflammation such as arthritis, bursitis, sprains and backache. Both medications also relieve non-inflammatory pain such as headache.
A third kind of popular pain reliever, acetaminophen, is completely safe for the stomach, can help relieve pain but cannot reduce inflammation.
Aspirin and anti-inflammatory agents are effective and safe for the vast majority of users. The most common side effect of each pain reliever is a relatively minor stomach upset.
Much less common, but highly serious side effects, of both medications include stomach ulcers that can result in internal bleeding and perforations.
Both aspirin and anti-inflammatory agents have the same potential to diminish the ability of the stomach lining to protect itself from irritation.
Ulcers and perforations may or may not be felt as pain in the abdomen. Internal bleeding is usually a "silent" condition, and people feel no discomfort because the blood acts as a buffer and hides the pain.
However, signs of bleeding may include black, tarry stool, loss of appetite and vomiting, sometimes showing blood.
People who take aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications for extended periods (more than a few days) are at higher risk for serious complications, but taking pain relievers with meals and using minimum daily dosages decrease the likelihood of such complications.
Other groups at higher risk for stomach complications from use of pain relievers are people with previous histories of stomach problems and, for unknown reasons, women.