What it means
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugnon-STAIR-oy-dul an-tee-in-FLAM-uh-tor-ee DRUGA drug that relieves pain, fever and inflammation and is not a steroid, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.non- notanti- againstinflamm/o inflammationFull entry that blocks prostaglandins, the chemicals behind pain, swelling and fever. It is used for gout attacks and some forms of arthritis, sometimes to slow preterm labor, and in preterm babies to close the ductus arteriosus, a fetal blood vessel that should close after birth. Like other NSAIDs, it can cause stomach bleeding and kidney injury and raise heart and stroke risk, and it causes headache and dizziness more often than others.
For the nurse
Give with food or milk. Teach the client to report black stools, stomach pain, swelling or less urine. The Beers Criteria advise avoiding it in older adults because of its effects on the brain and stomach.
At a glance
| Drug class | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Indocin, Tivorbex |
| Spanish | indometacina |
| Also written | Indocin, Tivorbex |
Related terms
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
A drug that relieves pain, fever and inflammation and is not a steroid, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
ibuprofen
A drug that eases pain, fever and inflammation; a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.