Taking these medications for a long time may cause serious side effects like a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and stomach irritation and bleeding for some people, especially in those who are older. If you take a daily aspirin, you should also talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe for you to take other NSAIDs.
NSAIDs you rub on your skin, such as diclofenac cream, also work well for hand and knee arthritis and are less likely to cause side effects than pills that you swallow.