Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, but when it becomes chronic or excessive, it can cause significant pain and tissue damage.
Doctors typically turn to two main classes of tablets to manage this: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and Corticosteroids (Steroids).
While NSAIDs are often used for acute pain and swelling, steroids are powerful tools for systemic or autoimmune conditions. Here are 10 common anti-inflammatory tablets, their uses, and what to watch out for.
NSAIDs work by inhibiting enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) that produce prostaglandins—the chemicals responsible for pain and inflammation.
The most common “everyday” NSAID used for mild to moderate pain.
Use: Headaches, toothaches, menstrual cramps, and minor muscle injuries.
Dose Range: 200mg to 400mg every 4 to 6 hours (Max 1200mg/day OTC; up to 3200mg under medical supervision).
Side Effects: Stomach upset, heartburn, and mild nausea.
Known for its long-lasting effects, naproxen stays in the system longer than ibuprofen.
Use: Long-term pain management like osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and acute gout.
Dose Range: 250mg to 500mg twice daily.
Side Effects: Bloating, gas, and a higher risk of stomach ulcers if used long-term.
A versatile drug that acts as an anti-inflammatory at higher doses and a blood thinner at lower doses.
Use: Fever reduction and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Dose Range: 300 mg to 500 mg every 4 hours for pain (Low-dose 75mg is used for heart health, not inflammation).
Side Effects: Increased bruising/bleeding and stomach irritation.
A “COX-2 inhibitor” designed to be gentler on the stomach than traditional NSAIDs.
Use: Chronic arthritis and acute pain management.
Dose Range: 100mg to 200mg once or twice daily.
Side Effects: Dizziness, swelling of the ankles (fluid retention), and increased cardiovascular risk in certain patients.
A potent NSAID often used when milder versions fail to provide relief.
Use: Severe migraine pain and inflammatory joint diseases.
Dose Range: 50mg, 2 to 3 times a day.
Side Effects: Skin rashes, headaches, and potential elevation of liver enzymes.
Steroids are synthetic versions of cortisol, a hormone produced by your adrenal glands. They are much more powerful than NSAIDs and suppress the immune system’s inflammatory response more broadly.
The most frequently prescribed oral steroid for systemic inflammation.
Use: Asthma flare-ups, severe allergic reactions, and autoimmune diseases like Lupus.
Dose Range: Extremely variable; from 5mg to 60mg per day (usually tapered down slowly).
Side Effects: High blood pressure, bone density loss (long-term), slow wound healing, increased appetite, “moon face” (fluid redistribution), diabetes, and insomnia.
Often prescribed in a pre-packaged “taper” format to ensure the dose is gradually reduced.
Use: Skin conditions, severe allergies, and acute spinal or joint inflammation.
Dose Range: 4mg to 48mg per day.
Side Effects: Mood swings, diabetes, and sweating.
A highly potent, long-acting steroid with about 25 times the anti-inflammatory power of cortisol.
Use: Reducing brain swelling, severe respiratory distress, and certain cancers.
Dose Range: 0.75mg to 9mg per day.
Side Effects: Weakened immune system, thinning of the skin, and muscle weakness.
While often a cream, the tablet form is used to replace cortisol in the body.
Use: Adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) and ulcerative colitis.
Dose Range: 20mg to 30mg daily (divided into smaller doses).
Side Effects: High blood pressure, bone density loss (long-term), and slow wound healing.
Similar to dexamethasone, it is very potent and used when a strong systemic effect is needed.
Use: Severe rheumatic disorders and skin diseases that don’t respond to milder treatments.
Dose Range: 0.6mg to 7.2mg per day.
Side Effects: Blurred vision, weight gain, and increased risk of infection.
| Feature | NSAIDs | Steroids |
| Mechanism | Block specific enzymes (COX) | Mimic natural hormones |
| Availability | Many are Over-the-Counter (OTC) | Prescription ONLY |
| Common Risk | Stomach ulcers & Kidney issues | Bone thinning & High blood sugar |
| Best For | Localized pain/swelling | Systemic/Autoimmune issues |
Top Tip: Never stop taking steroid tablets (especially Prednisone) “cold turkey” if you’ve been on them for more than a few days. Your body stops making its own cortisol while you’re on the pills, so you need to “taper” the dose to let your adrenal glands wake back up!
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