Elderly individuals are more sensitive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and have an increased risk of related side effects. Phenylbutazone may cause serious side effects in patients over 40 years of age, and the risk increases with age.

Elderly individuals have the tendency to become very ill if the use of an NSAID results in stomach problems such as peptic ulcers. According to the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the overall risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) problems in patients over the age of 60 who take NSAIDs is five times greater than those who do not take these medications. By contrast, the ACG reports that the risk is only slightly more than 1.5 times greater in younger patients. Further, the relative risk of GI surgery is 10 times greater in elderly patients taking NSAIDs, according to the ACG, and the risk for GI-related cause of death is 5.5 times greater.

Other NSAID side effects that often affect the elderly include:

• Confusion
• Swelling of the face, feet or lower legs
• Sudden decrease in the amount of urine
• Inability of the blood to clot