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Pharmacology · single question

All of the following are TRUE about NSAIDs EXCEPT:

  1. NSAIDs have a ceiling effect (maximum analgesic dose beyond which no additional analgesia occurs)
  2. NSAIDs are appropriate for mild to moderate pain
  3. NSAIDs can be used for chronic inflammatory conditions
  4. NSAIDs have no ceiling effect — higher doses always provide more analgesia
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Correct answer: D. NSAIDs have no ceiling effect — higher doses always provide more analgesia

NSAIDs DO have a ceiling effect — once the maximum therapeutic dose is reached, increasing the dose does not provide additional analgesia but DOES increase toxicity risk (GI bleeding, renal damage, cardiovascular risk). This is a key clinical principle: unlike opioids where dose-response continues to rise, NSAIDs plateau in analgesic efficacy. NSAIDs are appropriate for mild-to-moderate and chronic inflammatory pain.

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