NSAID: Class Overview and Comparison
Quick answer: NSAID are a class of medicines used for specific therapeutic indications. iMedic covers 14 nsaid substances. Below is a comparison table linking to detailed pages for each.
NSAID on iMedic (14 substances)
| Substance | Primary indications | Mechanism | Common dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dexibuprofen | Mild to moderate pain, Osteoarthritis | Active S(+)-enantiomer of ibuprofen that non-selectively inhibits COX-1 and COX- | 200-400 mg up to three times daily (max 1200 mg/day) |
| Diclofenac | Pain, Inflammation | Non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX-1/COX-2) inhibitor reducing prostaglandin synt | 50 mg 2-3 times daily or 75-150 mg/day |
| Dicuno | Pain, Inflammation | Diclofenac brand — non-selective COX inhibitor reducing prostaglandin synthesis | 25-50 mg 2-3 times daily |
| Flurbiprofen | Pain, Inflammation | Non-selective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor reducing prostaglandin synthesis | 50-100 mg 2-4 times daily; lozenges 8.75 mg |
| Ibudon | Pain, Inflammation | Non-selective COX inhibitor reducing prostaglandin synthesis (ibuprofen-based br | 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours |
| Ibukron | Pain, Inflammation | Non-selective COX inhibitor reducing prostaglandin synthesis (ibuprofen-based br | 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours |
| Ibumax | Pain, Inflammation | Non-selective COX inhibitor reducing prostaglandin synthesis (ibuprofen-based br | 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours |
| Ibuned | Pain, Inflammation | Non-selective COX inhibitor reducing prostaglandin synthesis (ibuprofen-based br | 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours |
| Ibuprofen | Pain, Inflammation | Non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX-1/COX-2) inhibitor reducing prostaglandin synt | 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours (max 1200 mg/day OTC, 3200 mg/day Rx) |
| Ibuprofen Farmalider | Pain, Inflammation | Non-selective COX inhibitor reducing prostaglandin synthesis (ibuprofen generic | 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours |
| Ketorolac | Short-term management of moderate to severe acute pain | Non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor reducing prostaglandin synthesis | 10 mg orally every 4-6 hours; 15-30 mg IV/IM every 6 hours (max 5 days) |
| Naproxen | Pain, Inflammation | Non-selective COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor reducing prostaglandin synthesis | 250-500 mg twice daily |
| Nurofen | Pain, Fever | Non-selective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor reducing prostaglandin synthesis | 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours (max 1200 mg/day OTC) |
| Tradil | Pain, Inflammation | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes (brand of | Varies by formulation |
About NSAID
NSAID share a common mechanism of action and clinical use. Specific dosing, side effects, contraindications, and drug interactions vary between individual substances within the class. Click any substance above for full prescribing information and patient guidance.
Common considerations across the class
- Indication-specific selection: Different members may be preferred for different conditions or patient populations
- Dose equivalence: Members of the same class are not always interchangeable on a 1:1 dose basis
- Drug interactions: Class members often share interaction profiles (e.g., CYP enzyme effects) but individual variation matters
- Side effects: Some side effects are class-wide; others are substance-specific
- Contraindications: Individual contraindications may not generalize across the class
Always consult the prescribing information for the specific medicine prescribed and discuss with your clinician.
Frequently asked questions
What are NSAID?
NSAID are medicines that share a common mechanism of action used for specific therapeutic indications. iMedic currently covers 14 substances in this class with detailed pages for each.
Are all NSAID interchangeable?
No. While medicines in the same class share a mechanism, they differ in potency, dosing, drug interactions, and tolerability. Switching between them is a clinical decision based on individual response, side effects, and treatment goals.
How do I choose between different NSAID?
Selection depends on the specific clinical indication, patient factors (age, comorbidities, kidney/liver function, other medications), tolerability of side effects, cost, and clinician preference. This is a prescribing decision.
Are NSAID available as generics?
Most well-established class members are available as generic alternatives, often substantially less expensive than brand-name versions while clinically equivalent. Newer members may still be brand-only.
Last reviewed: by iMedic Medical Editorial Team. Our editorial process.