Anti-Inflammatory

Anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs are medications that are used to reduce pain and inflammation (redness and swelling).

You can also obtain stronger forms of anti-inflammatories on a doctor’s prescription. NSAIDs are easily accessible.

Anti-inflammatories are most commonly available in tablets or capsules. NSAIDs are also found in creams, gels, injections, sprays and suppositories.

What do anti-inflammatories treat?

You may use anti-inflammatories to alleviate symptoms due to various conditions. NSAIDs can be used to:

• relieve pain (such as headache, toothache, period cramps, muscle strains and sprains, and postoperative pain)
• reduce inflammation
• lower fever
• treat arthritis
• treat certain autoimmune diseases

How do anti-inflammatories work?

• Anti-inflammatories reduce pain and inflammation by preventing damaged cells from producing chemicals known as prostaglandins. 
• Prostaglandins induce swelling and inflammation. Anti-inflammatories don’t depend on a steroid to lower inflammation.
• Taking an Anti-inflammatory drug does not prevent the cause of the pain or inflammation.