NHS issues warning to 9 groups of people before taking arthritis medication

Over 10 million people across the UK live with arthritis, impacting their daily life, work and independence. According to the NHS, NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are the most common first-line treatments for the condition.

Some NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, gels and creams, are available to buy at pharmacies, while others are prescribed by a GP. While they are effective in easing the pain and discomfort caused by arthritis, the health service warns certain people to speak with their doctor before taking an NSAID.

People with arthritis are urged to make sure the NSAID they are planning to take is suitable for them. Although most people can take them without issue, some medications may not be suitable for people with certain conditions.

The NHS says the following nine groups of people should consult a doctor before taking an NSAID:

• are over 65 years of age
• are pregnant or trying for a baby
• are breastfeeding
• have asthma
• have had an allergic reaction to NSAIDs in the past
• have had stomach ulcers in the past
• have any problems with your heart, liver, kidneys, blood pressure, circulation or bowels
• are taking other medicines
• are looking for medicine for a child under 16 (do not give any medicine that contains aspirin to children under 16)

The health service adds: "NSAIDs might not necessarily need to be avoided in these cases, but they should only be used on the advice of a healthcare professional as there may be a higher risk of side effects.

"If NSAIDs are not suitable, your pharmacist or doctor may suggest alternatives to NSAIDs, such as paracetamol."

Meanwhile, NSAID's also carry the risk of potential side effects, including indeigestion, headaches and izziness. The more severe side effects usually come if you're taking higher does for a long period of time.

According to the NHS, possible side effects include:

• indigestion - including stomach aches, feeling sick and diarrhoea
• stomach ulcers - these can cause internal bleeding and anaemia; extra medicine to protect your stomach may be prescribed to help reduce this risk
• headaches
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• allergic reactions
• in rare cases, problems with your liver, kidneys or heart and circulation, such as heart failure, heart attacks and strokes

The health service also advises people taking other medication to consult their doctor before taking NSAIDs as this may impact how they work. These include:

• another NSAID
• low-dose aspirin or warfarin - medicines used to prevent blood clots
• ciclosporin - a medicine used to treat autoimmune conditions, such as arthritis or ulcerative colitis
• diuretics - medicines sometimes used to treat high blood pressure
• lithium - a medicine used to treat mental health problems, including bipolar disorder and severe depression
• methotrexate - a medicine used to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
• a type of antidepressant medicine called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) - examples of SSRIs are citalopram and fluoxetine (Prozac)