Conditions and symptoms
What Is Perforation? Why NSAID Labels Warn About It
Perforation · say it: PER-fuh-RAY-shunAlso written: gastrointestinal perforation, GI perforation, perforated ulcer, bowel perforation
Short answer
A perforation is a hole through the wall of an organ, such as the stomach or bowel. It is a medical emergency that needs urgent help.
What it means
Perforation means a hole has formed right through the wall of a hollow organ, most often the stomach, duodenum or bowel. Contents can leak into the belly and cause severe infection. It is a medical emergency: sudden severe belly pain, a hard tender belly, fever or vomiting needs emergency help straight away.
Labels mention perforation mostly for NSAIDs, whose boxed warning covers bleeding, ulcers and perforation of the stomach and intestines, which can happen without warning signs. Older people, people with past ulcers and those also taking corticosteroids, blood thinners or SSRIs are at higher risk. Some other medicines, such as certain cancer treatments and bisphosphonates (for the esophagus), carry related warnings.
An ulcer is a sore in the lining; a perforation is when the damage goes all the way through. Black or bloody stools suggest bleeding, which is related but different.
Where you may see it
- Boxed warnings on prescription NSAID labels
- Leaflets under 'Stomach bleeding warning'
- CT reports ('free air consistent with perforation') and surgical notes
📄 How it looks on a report
NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It is not the same as ordinary indigestion.
- A label warning does not mean it is likely to happen to you.
- Having no stomach pain does not fully rule out stomach problems on NSAIDs.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Perforation”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Dexamethasone
A corticosteroid, a synthetic adrenocortical steroid medicine that lowers inflammation and suppresses the immune system
- Diclofenac Sodium
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The FDA class is not listed on the label.
- Fluticasone Propionate
A corticosteroid, which is a steroid medicine, given as a nasal spray
- Ibuprofen
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a type of medicine that reduces pain, swelling, and fever
- Naproxen
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which is a medicine that reduces pain, swelling, and inflammation
- Prednisone
a corticosteroid, a type of steroid medicine that works like the adrenocortical (adrenal gland) steroids the body makes naturally
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Perforation” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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