|Articles|February 18, 2021

NSAID Use in Primary Care: A Quiz on Risks, Benefits, & Patient Selection

What is the drug of choice in a patient who is taking aspirin for secondary prevention of stroke? Ibuprofen? Celecoxib? Other? Plus 6 more questions on NSAID use in primary care.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are mainstays for managing acute and chronic pain secondary to inflammation; however, the gastrointestinal (GI), cardiovascular (CV), and renal risks associated with the class require careful patient selection. An international group of experts in 2020 released a practice advisory published in the Journal of Pain Research, which summarizes current evidence and provides updated guidance to primary care physicians on the use of NSAIDs for pain, with an emphasis on CV, GI, and renal safety.

What does the 2020 practice advisory along with previous research recommend regarding the appropriate use of NSAIDs in primary care? Take the 7-question quiz below to find out.

Enhance your clinical practice with the Patient Care newsletter, offering the latest evidence-based guidelines, diagnostic insights, and treatment strategies for primary care physicians.

Subscribe Now!

Latest CME

In-Person Event

Interventional Glaucoma: The Convergence of Surgical Innovation and Therapeutic Hope

October 24, 2025

Case-based Simulation

SimulatED™: Understanding the Role of Genetic Testing in Patient Selection for Anti-Amyloid Therapy

Nicholas Doher, DO; Babak Tousi, MD

NSAID Use in Primary Care: A Quiz on Risks, Benefits, & Patient Selection

Newsletter

Related Content

Oral Semaglutide Wins Approval to Reduce Risk of MACE in Adults with T2D at High Risk

FDA Approves TSLP Inhibitor Tezepelumab for Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps

Grail Reports Strong Performance for Galleri Blood Test Ahead of FDA Submission

Most Parents Support Childhood Vaccines, But Doubt Flu and COVID-19 Shots: Daily Dose

The Adult Immunization Catch-Up Schedule: A Practical Guide for Primary Care

Latest CME

Interventional Glaucoma: The Convergence of Surgical Innovation and Therapeutic Hope

SimulatED™: Understanding the Role of Genetic Testing in Patient Selection for Anti-Amyloid Therapy

PER Psych Summit: Integrating Shared Decision-Making Into Management Plans for Patients With Schizophrenia

Unlocking the Future of Glioma Care: Integrating Recent Advances to Personalize Treatment

Expert Illustrations and Commentaries™: The Role of the Paracellular Pathway in the Management of Hyperphosphatemia in CKD

Advances In: Managing Hyperphosphatemia in Chronic Kidney Disease – Bridging Treatment Gaps With Novel Therapies

Addressing Pivotal Updates in AML – Expert Perspectives on Individualizing Management for Special Populations

Burst CME™ Part 3: Initiating Early Intervention in Patients With Glaucoma Who Fail Pharmacological Therapy

Advances In™: Taking R/R B-Cell ALL Management to the Next Level With New CAR T Approval

Innovations in MDS Care: Navigating New Treatment Paradigms, Breakthrough Therapies, and Emerging Clinical Evidence

Cases & Conversations™: Integrating Novel Approaches to Treatment in First-line ALK+ mNSCLC – Enhancing Patient Outcomes with Real World Multidisciplinary Strategies

Mind Moments™: Optimizing Management for Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis

Transforming Treatment in Small Cell Lung Cancer: How Recent Trials Are Shaping Treatment Decision-Making and Future Therapies

Interventional Glaucoma Treatment: Evolving Paradigms for Addressing Unmet Needs

Cases and Conversations™: Navigating the Complexities of Managing Myasthenia Gravis in Pediatric and Pregnant Patient Populations

Identifying and Treating CIDP in the Modern Era

Cases and Conversations™: Little Voices, Big Challenges – Comprehensive Care for Pediatric Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Burst CME™: Addressing Inadequate Response to Anti-TNF Therapy in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dermalorian™ Webinar: Shedding Light on Patient-Reported Outcomes to Assess Disease Severity in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis

Community Practice Connections™: Cases and Conversations – Keeping Up with Novel Approaches to Managing ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

(COPE Credit) Community Practice Connections™: Applying Advances in Neovascular Retinal Disease - Expanding Treatment Intervals & Enhancing Outcomes

Tackling Inequities in IBD: Inclusive Solutions for Elevated Patient Care

(CME Track) Neurotrophic Keratitis in Focus – From Early Recognition to Strategic Intervention

(COPE Track) Neurotrophic Keratitis in Focus – From Early Recognition to Strategic Intervention

Addressing Racial Disparities in Multiple Myeloma: Forging a Path Towards Health Equity in Clinical Trials and Everyday Practice

(CME Track) Leveraging Rho Kinase Inhibition in Glaucoma Management — How Can Novel Treatment Pathways Impact Patient Outcomes?

Where Do Biologics Fit Into the Management of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis?

Evolving Strategies and Emerging Agents in PTCL: Subtypes, Mutations, and Modern Therapies

Rounds with Dr Jabbour: Breaking Barriers in ALL Treatment

Community Practice Connections™: Community Oncologists’ Role in Selecting Optimal Oral SERD Treatment for HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer

Burst CME™: Addressing Diagnostic Challenges and Identifying Targets for Treatment in LCNEC-L

Burst CME™: Exploring Diagnosis and Testing Innovations for Targetable Mutations in SCLC

Community Practice Connections™: 21st Annual Meeting of the International Society of Gastrointestinal Oncology

Medical Crossfire®: Optimal Approaches to Evaluating and Addressing Pain in the Patient With Sickle Cell Disease

Burst CME™: Advanced Diagnostic and Testing Approaches for Mutation-Targetable Management of NSCLC

Community Practice Connections™: Case Discussions in TNBC… Navigating the Latest Advances and Impact of Disparities in Care

Clinical Case Vignette Series™: 3rd Annual International Congress on Pediatric Oncology

Addressing Health Care Inequities™: Taking a More Mindful Approach to the Care of Every Patient Presenting With ATTR-CM

Collaborating Across the Continuum®: Identifying and Treating Epithelioid Sarcoma

Medical Crossfire®: Improving Survival in HR-Positive HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer – Advances in Selective Estrogen Receptor Targeting Therapies

Medical Crossfire®: Bridging Expert Guidance and Evidence-Based Recommendations in the Ever-Evolving Treatment of MF, PV, and ET

From Barriers to Breakthroughs in Multiple Myeloma: How Trials Compare to the Real-World Management of Patients in Your Practice

Show Me the Data: How Do We Navigate the Latest Evidence on Novel Therapies and Trials Across GvHD Prophylaxis, Acute, and Chronic Care?

Show Me the Data™: Pushing CAR Ts Forward Across Lymphoid Malignancies…Accelerating Access in the Community and the Treatment Strategies for the Road Ahead

Medical Crossfire®: New Horizons in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia—How The Experts Apply New Evidence from AYA to Adult Scenarios

Real Psychiatry 2026

43rd Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference®

Upstate New York Hematology & Hematologic Oncology Conference: A Review of the 67th ASH Annual Meeting

17th Annual International Symposium on Ovarian Cancer and Other Gynecologic Malignancies™

Burst CME™: Optimizing the Use of CGRP Targeted Agents for the Treatment of Migraine

Burst CME™: Stratifying Therapy Sequencing for LGSOC and Evaluating the Unmet Needs of the Standard of Care

(CME Track) Burst CME™ Part 1: Insights Into Glaucoma and the Need for Early Intervention

Homing in on the Role of PSMA in Prostate Cancer – Harnessing the Power of Precision Medicine Through Imaging and Therapy to Individualize Treatment Plans

Burst CME™: Implementing Appropriate Recognition and Diagnosis of Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

Burst CME™: Understanding Novel Advances in LGSOC—A Focus on New Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Trials

2nd Annual Hawaii Cancer Conference

Cases and Conversations™: Applying Best Practices to Prevent Shingles in Your Practice

PER® Liver Cancer Tumor Board: How Do Evolving Data for Immune-Based Strategies in Resectable and Unresectable HCC Impact Multidisciplinary Patient Management Today… and Tomorrow?

Expert Perspectives on Technological Advances in Cataract Surgery

Clinical Consultations™: Addressing Elevated Phosphate Levels in Patients with END-STAGE Kidney Disease (ESKD)

‘REEL’ Time Patient Counseling™: Fostering Effective Conversations in Practice to Create a Visible Impact for Patients Living with Genital Psoriasis

Cases and Conversations: Evidence-Based Approaches to Management of CKD in Your Patients With T2DM

Lung Cancer Tumor Board: Enhancing Precision Medicine in NSCLC Through Advancements in Molecular Testing and Optimal Therapy Selection

Antibody–Drug Conjugates in Oncology: The Essentials of AE Management for Better Patient Outcomes

Patient, Provider & Caregiver Connection™: Understanding the Patient Journey to Provide Personalized Care for Generalized Pustular Psoriasis

Medical Crossfire®: Integrating Real-World Data to Improve Outcomes for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Medical Crossfire® - Optimizing Management for Patients With Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: Focus on Complement Inhibitors

Collaborating Across the Continuum™: Identifying and Preventing Hepatic Encephalopathy in Long-Term Care Settings

Community Practice Connections™: Transforming Treatment in nAMD, DME, and DR – Keeping an Eye on Optimal Outcomes

Raising Our Game in the Management of Hyperlipidemia: New Targets, New Tactics

Medical Crossfire®: New Horizons in Hemolytic Anemias – How I Diagnose & Treat Based on Individual Patient and Disease Characteristics