Principles for the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with proton pump inhibitors

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in numerous areas of medicine. By inhibiting the prostaglandin synthesis pathway, they contribute to the development of injuries to the mucous membranes within the gastrointestinal tract, possibly leading to gastrointestinal bleeding. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to prevent such events in high-risk groups. The bleeding risk is highest in patients above the age of 65, patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, and patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease. The efficacy of bleeding prevention could not be proven in other groups. Notably, PPIs are associated with serious side effects, including acute kidney injury, malabsorption syndrome, and osteoporosis. Therefore, recommending the use of PPIs within the framework of prevention should be approached with caution. The widespread belief that IPP should be automatically prescribed together with NSAIDs is false and harmful to patients.