What are NSAIDs?
NSAIDs are a large group of drugs that have pain-relieving (analgesic) and fever reducing (antipyretic) effects, as well as the effect of reducing inflammation when used over time. The anti-inflammatory effects may take anywhere from a few days to three weeks to take effect. Non-selective (traditional) NSAIDs like Ibuprofen, aspirin, Nabumetone and Naproxen work by inhibiting both the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes to stop the production of prostaglandins, while COX-2 inhibitors only block the COX-2 enzyme. Common uses for NSAIDs are: • Treatment of pain and inflammation associated with arthritis (inflammation and resulting pain of one or more joints, a common characteristic of over 200 rheumatic diseases with Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) being the most common forms). • Back pain and sciatica (pain down into the leg, which travels below the knee, and may involve the foot – may occur alone or accompanied by low back pain). • Sprains, strains and rheumatism (a chronic autoi
The abbreviation “NSAID” is commonly used in the medical community. It stands for “non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug”. Aspirin (a salicylate) was first used in 1899. For several decades, aspirin and its derivatives (“salicylates”) were the only antiinflammatory drugs available. Corticosteroids (not to be confused with “anabolic” steroids) began to be developed in the 1940s. These drugs (ex: hydrocortisone, prednisone, others) are indeed powerful antiinflammatory drugs, but they have serious side effects, especially if used long-term. Corticosteroids are not used as analgesics and will not be discussed further. In 1949, a third category of antiinflammatory agent was developed. These drugs did not belong to the salicylate group or the steroid group and, thus, the name “non-salicylate, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs” (NSAIDs) evolved. Some of these older NSAIDs are no longer used today. Motrin® (ibuprofen) was the first member of the “modern” NSAID group to be marketed (1974) in t
