title: Cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme inhibitors: place in therapy.
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.
authors.affiliation: University of Mississippi Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy, Jackson, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Noble
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Olutade
mesh_terms: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001760:Bleeding Time; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D000068579:Celecoxib; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011720:Pyrazoles; D012307:Risk Factors; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013450:Sulfones; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007783:Lactones; D011720:Pyrazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib; D000068579:Celecoxib