NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS AND CERTAIN RARE, SERIOUS ADVERSEEVENTS - A COHORT STUDY

We performed a population-based study of over 100,000 users of diclofe nac, naproxen, or piroxicam to identify cases of important blood, skin , central nervous system, kidney, pancreas, or pulmonary disorders cau sed by these drugs. In three cases a causal relation seemed likely; on e of hemolytic anemia attributed to diclofenac, one of neutropenia att ributed to naproxen, and one of pancreatitis attributed to piroxicam. In 13 additional cases a causal connection seemed unlikely but could n ot be fully ruled out. We conclude that such illnesses are uncommonly caused by the three agents studied.