What anti-pain drugs can trigger an ulcer? Then what pain medications are safe for ulcer sufferers?

 What anti-pain drugs trigger ulcers (stomach disorders)?

Painkillers that are included in the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs / NSAIDs). The most common examples that are easily found on the market are aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium / potassium, and mefenamic acid. The risk of gastric upset increases if NSAIDs are taken in high doses for a relatively long period of time. The risk also increases if the user also has a history of gastric disorders. So, if your stomach is in good health and you don't take NSAIDs frequently in high doses, God willing, it's safe.

Why do NSAIDs cause stomach upset?

In order to understand, please check the following video first.

How pain relievers work (Ted-Ed's canal):

The key is in prostaglandins. Apart from being a mediator compound which ends up causing pain, prostaglandins actually stimulate protection on the surface of our stomach. In the stomach, prostaglandins inhibit the production of stomach acid, stimulating the production of mucus (mucus = a kind of mucus that protects the surface of certain organs) and bicarbonate (an alkaline compound that maintains the pH balance of stomach fluids so that they are not too acidic).

Now, since NSAIDs work by inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2 at the same time, the number of prostaglandins in the stomach also decreases. As a result, the stomach loses its protective factor. Apart from inhibition of prostaglandins, NSAIDs also have several other mechanisms that cause gastric disorders.

Then what pain medication is safe for sufferers of stomach disorders?

The easiest alternative is paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen). Why? Because it acts directly on the nervous system to block the transmission of pain. Easy and cheap because they can be purchased freely. It's just that the anti-pain effect of paracetamol is not as strong as NSAIDs.

Another alternative is other NSAIDs that work more specifically to inhibit COX-2 alone so that the risk of stomach disorders can be reduced. For example celecoxib. But this drug can only be obtained by prescription considering there are other things that must be considered before using this drug.

Another alternative is the opioid anti-pain. But yes the name is also an opioid, so their use is limited and very strict. Can only be obtained by prescription.

Now, there are more reasons to maintain the health of your stomach. Eat healthy, balanced, on time, and manage your stress. Love your stomach so that later it will not be difficult if one day you need a painkiller.

May be useful.