title: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: new perspectives on a familiar drug class.
abstract: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the most commonly used and lethal drug classes. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects result from the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), which is the critical enzyme in the synthesis of prostaglandins. The most common adverse effects are gastrointestinal, but renal and platelet effects are also important. Recent discovery that there are two forms of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) has led to hypothesis that the newly marketed COX-2 selective inhibitor can provide beneficial effects without these adverse effects. Patient monitoring and education are nursing functions essential to the safe use of these agents.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Pepper
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006207:Half-Life; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D009732:Nursing Care; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000502:physiology*; D013931:Thromboxanes / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D011453:Prostaglandins; D013931:Thromboxanes