Duration of treatment

Acute flare-ups may only require treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the disease remains chronically active after six months, despite what is regarded as optimum therapy with non-steroidals, then other measures, e.g. disease modifying drugs in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, or, short term steroid therapy may be necessary.

The side-effects of NSAIDs especially in the elderly are well documented.

• all oral NSAIDs/COX-2 inhibitors have analgesic effects of a similar magnitude but vary in their potential gastrointestinal, liver and cardio-renal toxicity; therefore, when choosing the agent and dose, healthcare professionals should take into account individual patient risk factors, including age. When prescribing these drugs, consideration should be given to appropriate assessment and/or ongoing monitoring of these risk factors

Reference:

• (1) NICE (February 2008).Osteoarthritis The care and management of osteoarthritis in adults