Millions of people take the class of drugs known as NSAIDS for things like headaches, arthritis and back pain.
NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug)
Examples: Ibuprofen (Motrin)
Naproxen (Aleve)
Aspirin
Diclofenac (Voltaren)
Higher doses = Greater risk for problems (heart attack, stomach bleeding)
But studies have shown the higher the dose you take and the more often, the greater the risk is for problems like heart attack or stomach bleeding.
That is where the new drug called Zorvolex aims to help. It was recently approved by the FDA and is a new version of another NSAID.
The particles that make up the new drug are 20 times smaller than other drugs. So it dissolves faster in the stomach, and you get the same result with less medication.
"The doses that we've studied, and that have been approved, are 20% lower than the commercially available doses," said Dr. Clarence Young.
Dr. Clarence Young is the Chief Medical Officer for the company that makes the drug.
He expects to see a 20-percent reduction in stomach bleeding and a 7-percent drop in heart effects.
That could be significant because right now, every year tens-of-thousands of patients suffer serious problems due to stomach bleeding caused by NSAIDs.
The new drug will be on the market in the New Year.
If this is something you think may help you, talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new medication.
