Short-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and adverse effects An updated systematic review

Background. In this article, the authors examine the available scientific evidence regarding adverse effects of short-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Short-term use was defined as 10 days or fewer. Methods. The authors reviewed randomized controlled clinical trials and cohort and case-controlled clinical studies published between 2001 and June 2015 in which the investigators reported on the safety of nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitors and of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor NSAIDs. Results. The systematic review process according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines allowed the authors to identify 40 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Conclusions. On the basis of the available scientific evidence, NSAIDs may be considered relatively safe drugs when prescribed at the most effective dose and for the shortest duration of time, which was defined to be 10 days or fewer.