Can nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs favourably affect the alimentary canal?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represent one of the most commonly used therapeutic drug groups world wide. 1.5% of the world's population is estimated as taking NSAIDs. Although NSAIDs are still generally believed to have toxic effects on the alimentary tract, some evidence of their favourable effects on the alimentary canal has recently been reported. Wider knowledge concerning these effects may allow us in the future to use NSAIDs as preventive measures in carcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the colon or even in carcinoma of the esophagus, in the treatment of motor disorders of the alimentary tract or inflammatory diseases, e.g. reflux esophagitis. The clinical studies evaluating the NSAID effects on the treatment of acute biliary colic and the short-term administration of small doses of aspirin effective in secondary prevention of cholelithiasis are also encouraging. At present the studies are being carried out to show the therapeutic action of NSAIDs in pancreatitis.