When to try COX-2-specific inhibitors. Safer than standard NSAIDs in some situations.
COX-2-specific inhibitors, by sparing COX-1 enzyme and its physiologic functions, are a safer option than regular NSAIDs in patients who are at risk for gastrointestinal bleeding (e.g., patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, alcoholism, concomitant corticosteroid or anticoagulant use). They have been approved for use in arthritis, and their efficacy is comparable to that of other NSAIDs. Further clinical data are needed to establish the long-term safety profile of these newly introduced drugs.
Rehman
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Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, USA.
Sack
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D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007783:Lactones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013450:Sulfones
D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D007783:Lactones; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib; D010544:Peroxidases; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases