In light of current developments on NSAIDs and COX-2 selective NSAIDs, the August issue of NPS RADAR lets pharmacists keep up to date with the debate on the use of NSAIDs in treating inflammatory pain. The latest review also reminds pharmacists that COX-2 inhibitors fall within the NSAID class of drugs and should be thought of as such when considering efficacy and safety.

“The ongoing debate about how to treat patients with pain and continued consumer media coverage on COX-2s motivated the National Prescribing Service to assist GPs and pharmacists and summarise the current evidence and advice from regulatory authorities,” said Professor Ric Day, Clinical Pharmacologist, University of New South Wales and Director of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.

“With pain, basic principles apply, non-drug measures come first, followed by paracetamol due to its good safety profile. If further pain relief is required, then the August NPS RADAR offers independent evidence to help assess the benefit/harm balance associated with COX-2 selective and conventional NSAIDs for each patient. All NSAIDs should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration,” said Professor Day.

All NSAIDs have a similar capacity to cause renal impairment, congestive heart failure, hypertension and oedema. As with all medicines, patients need to be advised of possible adverse effects and to see their doctor promptly if they experience an adverse reaction associated with a particular type of risk.

“Whilst pharmacists who attended NPS’s recent series of The Leading Edge: New Drugs Seminars joined the discussion on the latest information of new and existing drugs, including COX-2s, the current RADAR is an accessible read for health professionals who need to keep up to date,” concluded Professor Day.

The August issue of NPS RADAR also includes independent reviews of ciclesonide (Alvesco) for asthma, rosiglitazone (Avandia) with insulin for type 2 diabetes mellitus, methylphenidate (Ritalin) for ADHD and the removal of the restricted benefit listings from angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ATRAs) on the PBS.

To register for your free NPS RADAR log on to www.npsradar.org.au. The website includes previous issues of RADAR.

NPS RADAR provides independent information about new medicines and changes to PBS listings important to GPs, pharmacists and other health professionals involved in primary care management of patients. More than 20,000 people have registered to receive NPS RADAR.

ENDS

National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is a member-based organisation providing accurate, balanced, evidence-based information and services to health professionals and the community on Quality Use of Medicines (QUM). To achieve this we work in partnership with GPs, pharmacists, specialists, other health professionals, Government, pharmaceutical industry, consumer organisations and the community. NPS is an independent, non-profit organisation funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.