The nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are among the most widely prescribed and used drugs in the community for rheumatologic as well as nonrheumatologic conditions, which include acute and chronic pain; biliary, ureteric colic; dysmenorrhoea; fever; and other applications that derive from the suppression of prostaglandin synthesis. Almost all nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs irritate gastric mucosa and enhance ulceration by blocking protective action of the prostaglandins on gastric mucosa, causing ulcer formation not only in stomach but also in lower part of oesophagus and in duodenum too. This review focuses on the adverse effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, severity of these adverse effects and attempts made to reduce the side effects through the concomitant use of other drugs.

The objective of the study was to formulate a transdermal product containing Nicorandil as a model drug, because it has been first drug of choice to treat angina and hypertension. A further objective was to reduce its side effects. The transdermal product was prepared using various synthetic and natural gelling agents such as Carbopol 934p, Carbopol 974p, HPMC K15M and HPMC K100M. Various penetration enhancers were incorporated to enhance the diffusion across the rat skin. A further objective was to formulate organogels and minimize the concentration of penetration enhancer to 50% of the concentration used in gels and yet to achieve the maximum drug release. The prepared formulations were evaluated for their physical appearance, viscosity, spreadability, drug content and freeze thaw cycle. Based on in vitro studies across rat skin and human cadaver skin it was concluded that Nicrorandil transdermal organogel formulation using HPMC K100M with 2% w/w Transcutol-P shows increase in cumulative diffusion of Nicorandil amongst all other formulations.