NSAIDs: the complete list, ranked by safety record
All 11 nsaids we track, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Unlike a plain list, every drug here carries its safety record, what it treats, whether a generic exists, and how long it stays in your body.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a family of medicines — including ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin — used to ease pain, bring down fever, and reduce inflammation. They are most effective for conditions that involve both pain and swelling, such as arthritis or menstrual cramps.
How they work: NSAIDs block cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which the body needs to make prostaglandins — signaling molecules that drive pain, fever, and inflammation. The same enzyme (COX-1) also helps protect the stomach lining and support kidney blood flow, which is why blocking it produces both relief and risk.
What everyone taking one should know
NSAIDs (other than aspirin) can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, and any NSAID can cause ulcers, bleeding, or perforation in the stomach or intestine — sometimes without warning signs. They can also strain the kidneys and raise blood pressure. Risk is higher with long-term use, in older adults, and with heart, kidney, or GI disease.
| Drug | Safety | Generic? | Treats |
|---|---|---|---|
| diclofenac epolamineboxed warning Half-life: about 2 hours | 72/100 | Brand only | Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis |
| diclofenac sodium Half-life: about 2 hours | 72/100 | Brand only | Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis |
| ibuprofen Half-life: about 1.8 to 2.0 hours | 72/100 | Yes | Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis |
| ketorolac tromethamine Half-life: about 5 to 6 hours | 72/100 | Yes | Allergic Conjunctivitis, Inflammation |
| meloxicamboxed warning Half-life: about 15 to 20 hours | 72/100 | Yes | Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis |
| piroxicamboxed warning | 72/100 | Yes | Rheumatoid Arthritis, Inflammation |
| sulindacboxed warning | 62/100 | Yes | Rheumatoid Arthritis, Bursitis |
| bromfenac sodium | unrated | Brand only | Inflammation, Postoperative Pain |
| celecoxibboxed warning Half-life: about 11 hours | unrated | Yes | Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dysmenorrhea |
| naproxen sodium Half-life: about 12 to 17 hours | unrated | Yes | Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis |
| oxaprozinboxed warning | unrated | Brand only | Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis |
Ranked by our independent recall-safety score (higher is better), which reflects the FDA recall and enforcement record — not effectiveness. A higher score is not medical advice to switch; which drug is right for you is a prescriber’s decision. 4 are unrated (too little regulatory history to score) and sort last.
Sources
Other drug classes: Statins · Benzodiazepines · Opioids · Beta blockers · SSRIs · SNRIs · ACE inhibitors · ARBs · Proton pump inhibitors · Calcium channel blockers · Macrolide antibiotics.
The list is built from the FDA’s Established Pharmacologic Class tags, so it reflects the drugs in this class that we track (one row per active ingredient). Safety scores come from the FDA recall and enforcement record. This is general reference information, not medical advice — do not start, stop or switch a medication based on it; talk to your prescriber or pharmacist.