Abstract
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) play a major role in the management of inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. A new class of NSAIDs that selectively inhibit the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme has been developed. The first COX-2 inhibitors, celecoxib and rofecoxib, are said to provide therapeutic benefit with less toxicity than traditional NSAIDs. A third COX-2-selective inhibitor, meloxicam, has recently been introduced. COX-2 inhibitors and traditional NSAIDs do not appear to differ significantly in their effectiveness in alleviating pain or inflammation. They have similar gastrointestinal side effects, including abdominal pain, dyspepsia and diarrhea. However, short-term studies show fewer gastrointestinal ulcers in patients treated with COX-2 inhibitors compared with traditional NSAIDs.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / adverse effects
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Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / economics
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Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / pharmacokinetics
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Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / therapeutic use*
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / economics
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacokinetics
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
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Arthritis / drug therapy
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Bleeding Time
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Blood Platelets / drug effects
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Celecoxib
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / adverse effects
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / economics
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
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Drug Interactions
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Duodenal Ulcer / chemically induced
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Humans
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Lactones / therapeutic use
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Pyrazoles
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Risk Factors
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Sulfonamides / therapeutic use
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Sulfones
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United States
Substances
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Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
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Lactones
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Pyrazoles
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Sulfonamides
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Sulfones
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rofecoxib
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Celecoxib