Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, include aspirin and aspirin-like drugs. They are used to reduce inflammation the process that causes the joint pain, stiffness, and swelling of arthritis and related conditions.
NSAIDs are commonly prescribed for arthritis and related conditions, including ankylosing spondylitis, bursitis, gout, juvenile arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and tendinitis. NSAIDs are often the first type of drug your doctor will use for arthritis because they work quickly and have different side effects from other drugs.
There are many types of NSAIDs. Each NSAID has its own particular properties and uses. Some work better than others for different kinds of arthritis and for different people. You and your doctor will decide which drug is best for you, depending on: the kind of arthritis you have, the amount of pain and inflammation, your overall health and age, other drugs you are taking, the cost of the NSAID, and how you respond to the medication. No single NSAID is guaranteed to work. You may have to try several types of NSAIDs before you find one that works for you.