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Careless prescription of NSAIDs can lead to serious consequences

On Behalf of | Oct 16, 2014 | Medical Malpractice

Most of our readers are probably familiar with the term NSAID, which stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Common examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen. As pain relievers, NSAIDs can be effective but they carry certain risks, such as stomach bleeding and ulcers, kidney or heart problems, and high blood pressure. Another potential risk, supported by some studies, is venous thromboembolism (VTE),

VTE is a condition which involves clotting in the blood, which can then travel to the lungs in some cases, resulting in deep vein thrombosis. Because of these risks of developing these conditions, it is important for people to be cautious in their use of NSAIDs and for doctors to be judicious in prescribing them.

Unfortunately, too many doctors prescribe NSAIDs unnecessarily, which can result in complications in some cases. Patients need to be aware of the risks, as well as the fact that their doctor has the responsibility to exercise discretion in the prescription of NSAIDS. At the very least, patients need to be provided adequate warning to allow them to provide informed consent. Most of the time this does occur, but in some cases it gets overlooked. Patients should, of course, keep track of any waiver they sign when receiving medical care. Taking an active role in one’s treatment can help prevent errors.

Patients who suffer harm because of their physician’s indiscretion with respect to NSAIDs or any other prescription need to get in contact with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Not every case of medical error, of course, is going to make a strong medical malpractice case, but it never hurts to have one’s case evaluated.

Source: Source: Medical News Today, “Increased risk of venous thromboembolism among NSAID users,” September 25, 2014. 

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