"The purpose of NSAID Awareness Week is to promote the appropriate use of these drugs and impress upon the public that this is an urgent and underappreciated public health issue," said executive director Jennifer Wagner, LPN.
NSAIDs are used daily by millions of Americans, but while many consumers are well acquainted with NSAID products — they are available by prescription and also over-the-counter (OTC) products Advil or Motrin IB (also called ibuprofen) and Aleve (also called naproxen) – the majority are unfamiliar with the term, 'NSAIDs.' When used as directed, NSAIDs are safe and effective for reducing pain and inflammation, but they are not without the risk of side effects, particularly when used inappropriately.
"NSAIDs include some of the most widely used and recognizable pain-relief products, and yet many consumers are unfamiliar with the term, 'NSAID,' or don't know which products contain NSAIDs, leaving them at risk of exceeding the recommended dose. The average consumer should be aware when they are taking an NSAID, so they can take it at the lowest effective dose for the shortest period of time required for symptomatic relief," said Byron Cryer, M.D., associate dean at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and chair of the Alliance.
During NSAID Awareness Week, the Alliance will raise awareness about these drugs and how to use them safely through educational content published across its various media platforms.
ABOUT: The Alliance for Rational Use of NSAIDs is a public health coalition dedicated to the safe and appropriated use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).