NSAID Risks: What You Need to Know Before Taking These Common Pain Relievers

When you reach for NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Also known as non-opioid painkillers, they’re one of the most widely used drug classes in the world—from ibuprofen in your medicine cabinet to prescription naproxen for arthritis. But what most people don’t realize is that these everyday pills come with serious, sometimes hidden, risks that can build up over time.

NSAIDs don’t just block pain—they interfere with your body’s natural protective systems. Long-term use can damage your stomach lining, leading to ulcers and internal bleeding. Studies show that even short-term use increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially in people over 65 or those with high blood pressure. Your kidneys also take a hit: NSAIDs reduce blood flow to them, which can cause acute kidney injury or worsen existing kidney disease. And here’s the kicker: many people take them daily without ever getting a checkup to see if their organs are still functioning properly.

These risks don’t show up overnight. They sneak in quietly. A person might take ibuprofen for a sore back for weeks, then end up in the ER with a bleeding ulcer. Or someone with arthritis starts on naproxen, feels better, and keeps going—until their blood pressure spikes or their creatinine levels climb. The real danger isn’t just the drug itself, but how often it’s treated like candy. Ibuprofen, a common over-the-counter NSAID. Also known as Advil or Motrin, it’s often taken without medical supervision, even though it carries the same cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks as stronger versions. Naproxen, another popular NSAID found in Aleve. Also known as a longer-acting anti-inflammatory, it’s no safer—just slower to show its effects, which makes people think they’re using it more responsibly. And then there’s the cocktail effect: mixing NSAIDs with blood thinners, SSRIs, or even certain antibiotics can turn a routine painkiller into a medical emergency.

You don’t have to avoid NSAIDs entirely—but you do need to know when they’re necessary and when they’re just a habit. If you’re taking them more than a few days a week, it’s time to ask why. Is the pain really from inflammation? Could physical therapy, heat, or a different class of medication help instead? The posts below break down real cases, side effect patterns, and safer alternatives that doctors actually recommend. You’ll find stories from people who thought NSAIDs were harmless, only to learn the hard way what they were doing to their bodies. And you’ll see how to spot the early warning signs before it’s too late.