GI Risks from NSAIDs: What You Need to Know Before Taking Them

When you take an NSAID, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for pain, fever, or swelling. Also known as non-opioid painkillers, these drugs are among the most commonly used medications worldwide—but they’re not harmless. Even short-term use can damage your digestive tract, and long-term use raises the risk of serious complications like bleeding ulcers. Many people think if it’s sold over the counter, it’s safe. That’s not true. Every year, tens of thousands of people end up in the hospital because of gastrointestinal bleeding, a life-threatening condition where the stomach or intestines start to bleed caused by NSAIDs. And it doesn’t always come with warning signs.

Who’s most at risk? People over 60, those with a history of ulcers, anyone taking blood thinners or steroids, and people who use NSAIDs daily—even just one pill a day. The damage builds slowly. You might not feel pain until it’s too late. Stomach ulcers, open sores in the lining of the stomach or upper intestine can form without you noticing, and then rupture. NSAIDs block protective chemicals in your gut, leaving it exposed to acid. That’s why even people who don’t have stomach problems before can develop them after starting these drugs.

The good news? You don’t have to choose between pain relief and a healthy gut. There are smarter ways to manage pain that reduce these risks. Some people benefit from switching to acetaminophen for mild pain. Others need to add a stomach-protecting medication like a proton pump inhibitor. Even small changes—like taking NSAIDs with food, avoiding alcohol, or limiting use to a few days—can make a big difference. The posts below cover real cases: how meloxicam affects cancer patients with sensitive guts, why some people bleed after taking ibuprofen, and what alternatives actually work without wrecking your digestive system. You’ll find practical advice from people who’ve been there, and clear explanations of what to ask your doctor before the next prescription.