Review article: appropriate use of proton pump inhibitors with traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and COX-2 selective inhibitors

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most commonly used classes of medications in the USA, annually accounting for over 100 million prescriptions. Gastrointestinal complications associated with NSAIDs are common, and result in a substantial amount of morbidity and mortality, despite the advent of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors or 'coxibs'. Emerging clinical and economic data suggest that, depending on the baseline risk to patients, the use of a traditional NSAID alone or in combination with a proton pump inhibitor are effective and well tolerated alternatives to coxibs. The optimal therapeutic strategy for NSAID selection and use of co-therapy should be guided by a consideration of each patient's risk of having an adverse event arising from the NSAID. Patients at the highest risk for gastrointestinal complications with traditional NSAIDs are those with a history of an ulcer or ulcer complication, those of advanced age (greater than 65 years), and those receiving concurrent aspirin, anticoagulants or corticosteroid therapy. Proton pump inhibitor co-therapy is highly effective in reducing NSAID-related dyspeptic symptoms, healing the injured mucosa even in those who continue to ingest NSAIDs, and preventing gastrointestinal complications. In addition to their selective use in patients who experience NSAB)-related dyspepsia and other symptoms, proton pump inhibitor co-therapy should be considered in those at high risk (with coxib or traditional NSAID therapy) and is necessary in high-risk patients receiving aspirin, with or without NSAID therapy.