Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the perioperative period: current controversies and concerns

Joshi, Girish P; Kehlet, Henrik; Lobo, Dileep N

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 specific inhibitors provide significant analgesic and opioid-sparing benefits. However, these analgesics are commonly avoided due to concerns of potential adverse effects. The evidence for NSAID-related adverse effects is conflicting and of poor quality, and these analgesics are safer than what has been implied. Thus, it is imperative that NSAIDs or COX-2 specific inhibitors are administered routinely unless there are contraindications.

Citation

Joshi, G. P., Kehlet, H., & Lobo, D. N. (2025). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the perioperative period: current controversies and concerns. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 134(2), 294-296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2024.10.018

• Journal Article Type: Editorial
• Acceptance Date: Oct 30, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 28, 2024
• Publication Date: 2025-02
• Deposit Date: Oct 30, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 29, 2025
• Journal: British Journal of Anaesthesia
• Print ISSN: 0007-0912
• Electronic ISSN: 1471-6771
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 134
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 294-296
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2024.10.018
• Keywords: perioperative pain; analgesics; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; acute kidney injury; persistent postoperative opioid use
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/41141582
• Publisher URL: https://www.bjanaesthesia.org/article/S0007-0912(24)00652-4/fulltext
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the perioperative period: current controversies and concerns; Journal Title: British Journal of Anaesthesia; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2024.10.018