What should you know about nsaids and crohn s?

NSAIDs include medicines such as ibuprofen and naproxen. They reduce pain and inflammation, but they can irritate the stomach or bowel and may cause bleeding or other digestive problems. Crohn's disease already involves inflammation in the digestive tract, so a pain medicine should be chosen with your disease pattern and current treatment in mind.

A joint or spine symptom may have several causes. Knee pain, gout, or pain related to the neck or back should not automatically be treated with an over-the-counter NSAID when Crohn's disease is present.

Before taking an NSAID, tell your gastroenterology team or pharmacist that you have Crohn's disease and list every prescription, over-the-counter medicine, and supplement. Do not start, stop, or combine anti-inflammatory medicines without advice. Ask about alternatives suited to the location and cause of your pain.

Keep a record of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, stool changes, and any relation to a new medicine. This helps the clinician decide whether symptoms reflect a flare, a medicine reaction, or another problem.

Contact your clinician promptly for worsening abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, increased diarrhoea, or a clear change after starting an NSAID. Seek urgent care for black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, fainting, severe weakness, or severe abdominal pain.

Ask whether an NSAID is appropriate for your Crohn's disease, which alternatives could treat your specific pain, and whether your existing medicines change the risk. Ask what symptoms should make you stop the medicine and how quickly to contact the team.