# Do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do much except relief? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 30, 2012, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-do-much-except-relief/639372 "2012-10-30T22:42:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-do-much-except-relief/639372/1 "2012-10-30T22:42:21Z")
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are very popular for relief from pain and inflammation of course but do they have any benefits beyond ‘relief’? I read where a few might occasionally help to prevent this or that. I am asking about the major benefits we are reasonably sure of. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-do-much-except-relief/639372/2 "2012-10-31T03:07:45Z")
IANAD. Some joint pain reinforces itself - you get swelling, which causes things to rub together and get irritated, which causes swelling…and so forth. Part of this would be putting pressure on a nerve, which causes pain. Part of it also could cause a loss in range of motion. Anti-inflammatory drugs, nonsterodial or otherwise, help break the cycle. So yes, in my experience, they can actually help treat the underlying cause. -D/a ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-do-much-except-relief/639372/3 "2012-10-31T05:23:25Z")
> [@](#): > > For what conditions are NSAIDs used? > > NSAIDs are used primarily to treat inflammation, mild to moderate pain, and fever. Specific uses include the treatment of headaches, arthritis, sports injuries, and menstrual cramps. Ketorolac (Toradol) is only used for short-term treatment of moderately severe acute pain that otherwise would be treated with opioids. \*\*Aspirin (also an NSAID) is used to inhibit the clotting of blood and prevent strokes and heart attacks in individuals at high risk. \*\*NSAIDs also are included in many cold and allergy preparations. source: [http://www.medicinenet.com/nonsteroidal\_antiinflammatory\_drugs/article.htm](http://www.medicinenet.com/nonsteroidal_antiinflammatory_drugs/article.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-do-much-except-relief/639372/4 "2012-10-31T07:29:33Z")
Pain relief is not an ignorable side effect, it’s highly beneficial and has saved lives. That said, [Ibuprofen](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibuprofen) is used to treat arthritis, fever, menstrual cramps, and acne. Additionally, it’s a [vasoconstrictor](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasoconstrictor), so can be used to prevent episodes of orthostatic hypotension. Regular use of ibuprofen is also correlated with a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s, but apparently the cause hasn’t been established. And the risks involved in taking ibuprofen that frequently (liver damage and digestive issues, among others) mean this isn’t likely a worthwhile trade-off. Also, this is anecdotal, but ibuprofen is the \*only \*OTC medication that can combat my headaches (and migraines with aura, back when I had them). It didn’t do anything for the aura, but if taken quickly would stave off the lingering pain and nausea for the next 24 hours. ---
**Author:** ![Imago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@Imago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imago)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-do-much-except-relief/639372/5 "2012-10-31T08:17:03Z")
Adding to what Rachellelogram said- there are women who swear by ibuprofen for menstrual cramps compared to other NSAIDs. I know that’s flimsy anecdotal evidence at best, but I’m surprised it wasn’t brought up already. And while the vast majority of fevers don’t need to be medicated, I am sure the use of aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc have saved at least a handful of lives. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-do-much-except-relief/639372/6 "2012-10-31T14:15:00Z")
They can suppress ovulation, if you’re into that. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-do-much-except-relief/639372/7 "2012-10-31T14:27:00Z")
Naproxen, popularly known as Aleve, inhibits ossification or bone growth, so it inhabits an odd space in the post-op care of spinal surgery patients. People who have had spinal fusions have to avoid taking it as it will interfere with the necessary bone growth for the fusion to be successful, but people like me with artificial disc replacements need to take it (one a day, indefinitely) to prevent the body from trying to self-fuse around the implant. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-do-much-except-relief/639372/8 "2012-11-02T01:51:58Z")
Indomethacin is an NSAID. As a gout sufferer, I couldn’t imagine not having it available to cure gout attacks. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-do-much-except-relief/639372/9 "2012-11-02T04:57:08Z")
> [@Rysdad](#): > > Indomethacin is an NSAID. As a gout sufferer, I couldn’t imagine not having it available to cure gout attacks. Indomethacin is also used as a [migraine prophylactic](http://www.headaches.org/education/Medications/Indocin). ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-do-much-except-relief/639372/10 "2012-11-02T13:51:56Z")
I know that when I am having a migraine that won’t respond to Maxalt or Imitrex, and it has been going on for days and I have been vomiting uncontrollably and can barely see, let alone drive, I can go to my neurologist and get a shot of Toradol, and 15 minutes later I can go back to my office and work and then drive home. If not for Toradol, I’d have to go to the ER and wait for hours while they gave me the stinkeye acting like I’m some drug-seeking tweaker and let me sit there sobbing while the pain continues to get worse, just to make sure I’m not making it all up, all the while admonishing me they can’t treat me unless I have someone to drive me home, before they finally condescend to give me a shot of Demerol that will knock me out for the rest of the day. Toradol, please!