A Case of Gastric Ulcer Caused by NSAIDs Patches

Abstract

In general, when topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory patches (hereinafter NSAIDs patches) are prescribed in clinical practice, adverse events, such as gastroduodenal ulcers, are not considered. However, patients often increase the number of NSAIDs patches they use in a single day even though they should only use 1 or 2 for local administration. Daily use of many NSAIDs patches (more than 4 large patches) may maintain the blood concentration of NSAIDs at a significantly level and cause adverse events similar to those by oral administration of standard-dose NSAIDs.

We present a case of prolonged gastric ulcer caused by the daily use of many NSAIDs patches. In this case, Helicobacter pylori infection was negative and no oral NSAIDs were administered, and the discontinuation of NSAIDs patches resulted in the rapid healing of a gastric ulcer that was present for 2 years.