[Side effects of non-steroidal antirheumatic agents in the lower gastrointestinal tract]

Peptic gastroduodenal lesions due to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) are well known, but not the adverse effects of these preparations in the lower GI tract. The cases of 5 patients with NSAID-induced colitis are described and the pertinent literature is reviewed, which reveals a wide spectrum of alterations ranging from mild non-specific colitis to acute bleeding or perforation. The most important key to correct diagnosis is a careful drug history, and treatment is to discontinue the NSAID.