Medication side effects
No drug is without side effects and sometimes that includes abdominal pain. “A medication itself can be caustic or slow the stomach’s emptying, causing pain,” says Dr. Raymond. Pain medications known as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin have this caustic property and can cause swelling in the stomach lining and may even lead to ulcers.
Oral bisphosphonates, a popular class of drugs that helps preserve bone density and prevent osteoporosis, can cause swelling—and therefore pain—in the lower esophagus, says Dr. Kaul. Also look out for antibiotics, specifically those containing azithromycin, and take them after a meal to give the stomach a proper lining for the drug. Narcotic and blood pressure medications relax the stomach’s walls and allow food to sit and ferment in your stomach, contributing to a queasy feeling.
