Pain Relief Medications: Are They Good for You?

In 2002, the American Geriatrics Society issued guidelines that advise "extreme caution" when using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the treatment of intermittent chronic pain. These drugs are associated with a higher frequency of side effects among older adults than younger people. For example, while NSAIDs are the most widely prescribed painkillers in the US, an estimated 76,000 hospitalizations and 7,600 deaths per year are attributed to gastrointestinal (GI) problems caused by this type of medication.

Many older people take NSAIDs to get relief from the pain, stiffness, and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, which affect more than 50% of those age 65 and older. These medications work by blocking the action of chemicals, known as prostaglandins, that cause inflammation. If you are taking painkillers, review the Food and Drug Administration's medication guide, which was released in June 2005, to find out if your medications are NSAIDs.