Recently, the team at Claims Pharmacy have seen an increasing trend in the combined use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and other pain relief medications, usually the Schedule 8 kind. 91% of claims across Australia are physical in nature and can sometimes require a team of treatment providers to assist in recovery ie GP, Physiotherapy and Specialist.
More often than not, our Injured People resort to second line treatment options such as opioids to assist in the management of pain conditions. It is important to consider baseline pain relief options before resorting to stronger medication such as opioids. These types of medications include over the counter as well as prescription strength items such as paracetamol and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are medicines that are used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
NSAIDs are used as a baseline pain relief option for both acute and chronic pain conditions. This means they should be considered before other medications, such as opioids, are prescribed. While effective, like any medications NSAIDs should only be used in the short term – any long term use requires constant reviews to ensure it does cause any side effects. These side effects can include gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal complications.
If you are considering the use of NSAID’s, it is important to be mindful of the potential for overuse or how these may interact with other medications you may be taking. Checking with your healthcare provider is essential. Overusing or combining these medications can lead to serious health conditions such as secondary injuries and overdosing.
In many cases, Claims Pharmacy have identified Injured People are consuming both Diclofenac and Ibuprofen together, while others were combining over the counter Ibuprofen with the prescription drug Meloxicam. This occurs in cases where there are multiple treatment providers involved in a claim. To ensure continuity of care, treatment providers must engage in regular communication about their patient to ensure double dosing does not occur.
NSAIDs can pose significant risks to Injured Australians if not properly monitored and reviewed. This is where Claims Pharmacy shine.
Our review process helps align communication and knowledge across all stakeholders. In doing so, we identify and resolve any risks, decreasing the harm NSAIDs can do in delaying healing.
Let’s help make the road to recovery a safe one for all Injured Australians.
For more information on our end-to-end medication program, please contact Claims Pharmacy on 1300 926 220 or email us at [email protected]
The information on this website is not a substitute for medical advice, nor is it to be used for diagnosis and treatment.