Non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Modest evidence for specific patients: people in palliative care who had certain genetic factors saw slower progression while taking celecoxib. As a whole, people taking NSAIDs along with standard cancer treatment did not show better survival. However, people with specific mutations or subtypes of cancer who took NSAIDs did show better outcomes in some studies.

• People with colorectal cancer and no KRAS mutation treated with any NSAID showed better survival.
• People with colorectal cancer taking celecoxib alongside chemotherapy saw better survival and a higher rate of response to treatment across several studies, though not all studies have found this effect.
• People with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who took celecoxib showed a better response rate to chemotherapy and better short-term survival, but only some evidence of long-term survival, across several studies. These studies also found that celecoxib could increase the risk of serious side effects from chemotherapy; see Safety and Precautions ›

See How can non-aspirin NSAIDs help you? What the research says ›

What is your body terrain? ›

NSAIDs are recognized to have anti-inflammatory effects. However, they have not been widely studied for their effects on body terrain among people with cancer.

See How can non-aspirin NSAIDs help you? What the research says ›

NSAIDs are widely used as pain medications, including for people with cancer. There is good evidence that diclofenac reduces cancer-related pain, though evidence for other non-aspirin NSAIDs is lacking. While some studies suggest NSAIDs can help with other side effects and aspects of wellness, the evidence is limited, except for the following:

• People without cancer but with major depressive disorder (MDD) taking NSAIDs showed improved depression symptoms across several studies.
• People undergoing immunotherapy for bladder cancer showed fewer urinary symptoms across several studies.
• People who took celecoxib during capecitabine chemotherapy had a lower risk of hand-foot syndrome across several studies.

See How can non-aspirin NSAIDs help you? What the research says ›

NSAIDs are well-researched for their anticancer effects. In particular, there is strong evidence that people taking celecoxib have a lower risk of adenomas (precursors of colon cancer), and good evidence for other NSAIDs. People with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) taking celecoxib or sundilac also had fewer colorectal polyps (growths that can become cancerous) across several studies. In addition:

• People with Barett’s esophagus who took NSAIDs, including aspirin, had a lower risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma in one large study.
• People taking NSAIDs had a lower risk of skin cancers in one very large study.
• People who were treated with ketorolac at the time of breast cancer surgery had a lower risk of recurrence across several observational studies.
• People taking ibuprofen had a lower risk of breast cancer in a combined analysis of studies; however, see also higher risk of some types of breast cancer among people using ibuprofen in Safety and Precautions ›
• People taking ibuprofen or COX-2 inhibitors, such as celecoxib, had a lower risk of lung cancer across three studies.

See How can non-aspirin NSAIDs help you? What the research says ›

• A few of our preferred programs and protocols use COX-2 inhibitors during cancer treatment.
• The US Preventive Services Task Force is against general use of non-aspirin NSAIDs for prevention due to the risk of serious cardiovascular and gastrointestinal side effects.

See How do experts use non-aspirin NSAIDs? ›

• Supervision by a medical professional is essential. Several serious side effects are documented.
• Extreme caution is needed with use by people with high blood pressure or risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding, or those using warfarin (Coumadin) or fluconazole (Diflucan).
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and other brands), naproxen (Aleve and other brands), diclofenac, celecoxib (Celebrex) and other NSAIDs increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, even after just a few weeks of use, and even among people without risk factors.
• Many researchers and the US Preventive Services Task Force have concluded that risks of serious cardiovascular events outweigh the cancer-preventive benefits of long-term use.

See Safety and precautions ›

• Most require a prescription in the US, except for low-dose versions of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve and other brands) which are available in most drug stores
• Prices are generally low to moderate (between $500 US and $2000 US/year), and costs for prescription drugs may be covered by insurance.

See Affordability and access ›