In older adults, which OTC pain/fever medication carries a higher risk of GI bleeding and renal issues?

Prepare effectively for the Over-the-Counter Drugs, Herbal Supplements, Vitamins, and Minerals Test. Engage with detailed flashcards and interactive multiple-choice questions, accompanied by informative hints and explanations. Get exam-ready with confidence!

Multiple Choice

In older adults, which OTC pain/fever medication carries a higher risk of GI bleeding and renal issues?

Explanation:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, carry the greatest risk of GI bleeding and kidney problems in older adults. They inhibit enzymes that produce prostaglandins, which protect the stomach lining and help maintain blood flow to the kidneys. With fewer protective prostaglandins, the stomach is more prone to ulcers and bleeding, and kidney perfusion can drop, raising the risk of acute kidney injury—risks that are amplified in older individuals who may be dehydrated or have preexisting kidney or heart issues. Acetaminophen doesn’t disrupt the stomach lining or kidney blood flow at usual doses, though it can cause liver toxicity with overdose. Aspirin also increases GI bleeding risk since it’s an NSAID, but nonselective NSAIDs as a group pose the strongest GI and renal risks in the elderly. Celecoxib lowers GI risk somewhat by being COX-2 selective, but it still has renal and other safety concerns.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, carry the greatest risk of GI bleeding and kidney problems in older adults. They inhibit enzymes that produce prostaglandins, which protect the stomach lining and help maintain blood flow to the kidneys. With fewer protective prostaglandins, the stomach is more prone to ulcers and bleeding, and kidney perfusion can drop, raising the risk of acute kidney injury—risks that are amplified in older individuals who may be dehydrated or have preexisting kidney or heart issues. Acetaminophen doesn’t disrupt the stomach lining or kidney blood flow at usual doses, though it can cause liver toxicity with overdose. Aspirin also increases GI bleeding risk since it’s an NSAID, but nonselective NSAIDs as a group pose the strongest GI and renal risks in the elderly. Celecoxib lowers GI risk somewhat by being COX-2 selective, but it still has renal and other safety concerns.

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