Use of drugs that increase GI bleeding risk in anticoagulated patients

NHS data from the UK suggests that thousands of patients are potentially at risk as a result of the prescription of anticoagulants concurrently with NSAIDs and other drugs that influence platelet function but without gastroprotection. During the same period there were 38 admissions to hospital for gastric bleeds for every 10,000 patients taking an NSAID + anticoagulant, and 117 admissions for every 10,000 on an anticoagulant and antiplatelet without gastroprotection. A commentary accompanying the news piece published here in the Pharmaceutical Journal, points to awareness of issues associated with opioids and gabapentinoids used for pain management as a driver for NSAIDs use. The delicate balance of issues related to the concurrent use of anticoagulants with drugs that increase the use of GI bleeding merits close attention in medication review processes.