Health Tip: Can I Take an NSAID?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are common pain-relieving medications that often are available over-the-counter.

However, the American Academy of Family Physicians says some people shouldn't take these drugs, among them:

• People with an allergy to pain relievers, including aspirin.
• People who drink three or more alcoholic beverages per day.
• People who have stomach or intestinal bleeding, or peptic ulcers.
• People who have kidney disease, heart disease or liver disease.
• People with a bleeding disorder or who take medication to thin the blood.