9 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Bleeding Ulcers From NSAID Use

By
Carol Eustice
Carol Eustice
Carol Eustice

Carol Eustice is a writer covering arthritis and chronic illness, who herself has been diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Learn about our editorial process
Updated on June 16, 2022
Learn more</a>." data-inline-tooltip="true"> Medically reviewed
Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more.
 by
Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH
Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH

Anita Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH, is board-certified in internal medicine and rheumatology and currently works as a rheumatologist at Hartford Healthcare Medical Group in Connecticut.

Learn about our Medical Expert Board

Gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the potential side effects of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Risk factors for this complication include older age, multiple NSAID use (e.g., over-the-counter ibuprofen combined with prescription NSAIDs), blood thinners such as Coumadin, corticosteroids, smoking, excessive alcohol use, and prior history of stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition, some people may have been exposed to H. pylori, a common bacteria associated with a higher risk of bleeding ulcers.

Fortunately, there are ways to decrease the risk of ulcers and their complications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding. We asked rheumatologist Scott J. Zashin, MD, who suggested these nine ways to decrease the risk of bleeding ulcers from NSAIDs.

1

Use an Ointment as an Alternative to Oral NSAIDs

Grimacing woman holding her aching stomach

gawrav / Getty Images

Oral NSAIDs aren't always the best first-choice treatment. There may be another way to effectively relieve pain without the potential for severe side effects. Consider alternative pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen).

There are also topical treatments for localized pain including:

While diclofenac is an NSAID, local application may decrease the level of NSAID in the blood, with a lower risk of bleeding.

2

Adjust Your Dosage to Reduce Risk of Side Effects

It's best to take the lowest dosage of NSAID necessary to relieve your symptoms. Using the lowest effective dose reduces the risk of side effects.

Another suggestion for you to consider—with your healthcare provider's approval—is to take your NSAID as needed, rather than daily. By doing so—and keeping your dose low—you would be reducing the risk of serious side effects.

That said, be sure to take your medication as directed. If you have questions, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

3

Don't Mix NSAIDs

Avoid taking more than one NSAID at a time. If your pain is severe, you might want to take another OTC drug along with the one you're taking—or take an OTC along with your prescription. Many pain relievers are NSAIDs or contain combinations of active ingredients that include an NSAID.

Taking two different NSAIDs is dangerous—it can increase the risk of undesirable side effects and serious adverse events.

4

Take an NSAID That Has a Lower Risk of Ulcers

You may consider choosing a specific NSAID, such as salsalate, which may have a lower risk of gastrointestinal bleeding compared to other NSAIDs.

There is also data that suggests Celebrex, a COX-2 inhibitor, may have a lower risk of bleeding from the large intestine. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if Celebrex would be a good option for you. It's worth noting, however, that Celebrex has been tied to heart risks. It's a balance—weighing risks and benefits.

5

Proton Pump Inhibitors Reduce Ulcer Risk

Combining an NSAID with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) may decrease the risk of a stomach or duodenal ulcer. This can be beneficial if you're at increased risk.

PPIs include Prilosec (omeprazole) (available over-the-counter), Aciphex (rabeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole), and Nexium (esomeprazole). There are also combination products, such as Prevacid NapraPAC that combines naproxen and Prevacid, Duexis (ibuprofen/famotidine), and Vimovo (naproxen/esomeprazole).

Cytotec (misoprostol), a prostaglandin, works differently than PPIs and may decrease the risk of ulcers. Arthrotec (diclofenac/misoprostol), a combination NSAID/prostaglandin, is taken 4 times/day with food to achieve maximum protection, but some protection occurs when taken twice daily.

It is contraindicated in women who are pregnant or could become pregnant because it can cause miscarriage.

6

Don't Ignore Medical Symptoms

Talk to your healthcare provider about any symptoms you may have. This includes abdominal discomfort, dark stools, feeling lightheaded, or having a rapid heart rate.

Your provider will also regularly check your bloodwork for any signs of bleeding or harm to your kidneys.

By being proactive, it's possible to catch symptoms early and avoid an emergency situation.

7

Get Tested for H. Pylori

Consider being tested for H. pylori bacteria. Get treatment if you're positive—this can decrease the risk of developing an ulcer. H. pylori can thrive in your stomach or the first part of your small intestine and have been associated with a higher risk of ulcers.

In fact, H. pylori infection is the most common cause of stomach ulcers, and it also results in inflammation of the stomach lining.

Bleeding that's caused by NSAIDs typically occurs from the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) or stomach, but may also be from the large intestine.

8

Take NSAIDs on a Full Stomach

It is not uncommon for people taking NSAIDs to develop gastrointestinal symptoms. Taking the medication on a full stomach may improve tolerability.

Taking NSAIDs on an empty stomach also increases the risk of developing ulcers—even if you are doing it now with no symptoms. The problem may be developing silently. To avoid the possibility, be sure to take NSAIDs with food.

While warning signs often occur, such as stomach discomfort or bloody/black stools, some patients—especially the elderly—may have no warning before they develop serious bleeding.

9

Avoid Steroid Drugs or Blood Thinners With NSAIDs

Avoid steroid drugs (corticosteroids), if possible, in combination with NSAIDs. If your healthcare provider has prescribed prednisone for you, make sure you let them know if you're already taking an NSAID. They might decide to add a PPI to your medication regimen to reduce your risk of developing an ulcer.

Blood thinners, when taken with NSAIDs, may increase the risk of ulcers or bleeding. Blood thinners include Coumadin (warfarin), Eliquis (apixaban), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), Plavix (clopidogrel), and more.

Talk to your healthcare provider about reducing your risk of developing bleeding ulcers while taking NSAIDs. It's an important conversation.

1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Walker C. Are all oral COX-2 selective inhibitors the same? a consideration of celecoxib, etoricoxib, and diclofenac. International Journal of Rheumatology. 2018 Dec 9;2018. doi:10.1155/2018/1302835

Additional Reading

  • Answer provided by Scott J. Zashin, M.D., clinical assistant professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Division of Rheumatology, in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Zashin is also an attending physician at Presbyterian Hospitals of Dallas and Plano. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Rheumatology and a member of the American Medical Association. Dr. Zashin is author of Arthritis Without Pain: The Miracle of Anti-TNF Blockers and co-author of Natural Arthritis Treatment.

See Our Editorial Process
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Related Articles