What are nonselective NSAIDs and Selective COX-2 Inhibitors?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often abbreviated NSAIDs, are drugs that reduce pain, fever and inflammation. They are one of the most prescribed classes of medication worldwide with over 30 billion tablets purchased annually. Approximately 70% of the elderly population takes NSAIDs each week. COX-2 selective inhibitors are a type of NSAID that are also taken for relief of inflammation and pain. They were developed because common NSAIDs were causing gastrointestinal problems for patients. COX-2 selective inhibitors spare the gastrointestinal tract by virtue of their selectivity for an enzyme responsible for pain and inflammation, the cyclooxygenase-II enzyme, abbreviated COX-2. Common NSAIDs inhibit both cyclooxygenase-I and cyclooxygenase-II. How do nonselective NSAIDs and Selective COX-2 Inhibitors Function? Common or nonselective NSAIDs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen) inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. COX-1 is expressed almost everywhere in the body and plays a criti
