In general, it is best to take in the middle of a meal.
Caution needs to be used in anyone with a history of sensitivity to aspirin.
Sometimes individuals with asthma may have an exacerbation of their asthma with nonsteroidals. Caution certainly needs to be used in patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding and prior ulceration, in which case the new selective COX-2 inhibitors may be preferable. Caution is important in those patients with underlying kidney problems as all the nonsteroidals may worsen kidney function. Patients with any underlying liver function abnormalities need to be monitored closely. Also, the patient needs to be monitored to make sure that there is no gastrointestinal bleeding while on these medications in combination with an anticoagulant.