Patient was educated on side effects of NSAIDs use as follows:

  1. Renal damage and hypertension
  • Renal prostaglandins help dilation of blood vessels in the kidneys and thereby, reduce the blood pressure.
  • NSAIDs inhibit the production of prostaglandins in all the tissues, including the renal.
  • Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the kidneys, result in vasoconstriction and elevated blood pressure.
  • Constriction of the blood vessels in the kidney can contribute to reduced blood flow to the renal tissue.
  • Reduced blood flow to the renal tissue can contribute to renal failure overtime.
  • Also, renal prostaglandins help with elimination of sodium in the urine.
  • Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the kidneys by NSAIDs leads to sodium retention in the body.
  • Increased levels of sodium in the body contribute to elevated blood pressure.
  1. Chest pain and myocardial infarction
  • NSAIDs can cause vasoconstriction in the coronary blood vessels, thereby, resulting in chest pain and myocardial infarction.
  1. Asthma and shortness of breath
  • In some individuals, use of NSAIDs can lead to exacerbation of SOB with episodes of asthma and growth of nasal polyps.
  • The reason for this response is unknown.
  1. Skin rash
  • NSAIDs intake can result in photosensitivity and skin rash with blister formation.