NSAID
Medical abbreviation · Drug Class
| Stands for | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
NSAID stands for Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a drug class abbreviation.
Pain, fever and anti-inflammatory drugs that block cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, including ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, ketorolac, meloxicam and celecoxib. Aspirin is also an NSAID, with unique irreversible antiplatelet effects.
Example: Avoid NSAIDs given CKD stage 3 and warfarin; use acetaminophen for pain.
Usage notes
Pronounced "EN-sed". NSAIDs carry boxed warnings for stomach bleeding and for heart attack and stroke, strengthened in 2015. They can injure the kidneys, especially with diuretics and ACE inhibitors (the "triple whammy"). Since 2020 the FDA has advised avoiding them from 20 weeks of pregnancy because of fetal kidney problems and low amniotic fluid.
Related abbreviations
More drug class abbreviations
- NDRI – Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor
- NK1 RA – Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist
- NNRTI – Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
- NOAC – Novel oral anticoagulant
- NRT – Nicotine replacement therapy
- NRTI – Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor
- OAC – Oral anticoagulant
- OCP – Oral contraceptive pill
- OCS – Oral corticosteroids
- OHA – Oral hypoglycemic agent
- OIT – Oral immunotherapy
- P-CAB – Potassium-competitive acid blocker
See all 113 drug class abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.