Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi 2. Fizik Tedavi &Rehabilitasyon Kliniği, Ankara Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) are the most common prescribed drugs among elderly. In older patients the chronic use of NSAID is associated with high frequency of adverse effects. A wide spectrum of side effects including gastrointestinal system, renal, hepatic, hematologic as well as pulmonary, dermatologic and ocular toxicity can also be encountered. The additive effects of NSAIDs are more common in. the elderly due to the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic changes and older patients have been shown to have increased NSAID sensitivity. Polypharmacy is the most important risk factor for adverse drug reactions and increases the risk of drug interactions and poor compliance. The relative risks and benefits of NSAIDs should be weighed before prescription of these drugs to the elderly. Alternate therapies can be more appropriate in older patients suffering from chronic pain. The close monitoring for the type, dosage, duration, cost of NSAID and coadministrated cytoprotective drugs and toxic effects is considerably important. Nevertheless when used with caution, monitorized cautiously, NSAIDs continue to be a mainstay in the treatment of many rheumatic diseases and prevention from stroke in elderly patients. Keywords : Geriatrics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, side effects