Cognitive dysfunction associated with naproxen and ibuprofen in the elderly

The authors identified 8 patients over 65 years of age who in the previous year had started receiving either naproxen or ibuprofen and who experienced cognitive dysfunction or personality change after initiation of the drug. In all patients the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction and personality change cleared within 2 weeks of cessation of the nonsteroidal drugs. Their experience would suggest that such symptoms do occur as a result of NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), that these symptoms are more common in elderly patients, and that physicians should actively question their patients about such symptoms in order not to miss a correctable cause of mental deterioration or personality change.