Antipyretic analgesics: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, selective COX-2 inhibitors, paracetamol and pyrazolinones.
Antipyretic analgesics are a group of heterogeneous substances including acidic (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, NSAIDs) and nonacidic (paracetamol, pyrazolinones) drugs. Moreover, various selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors with improved gastrointestinal tolerability as compared with conventional NSAIDs have been established for symptomatic pain treatment in recent years. The present review summarizes the pharmacology of all of these drugs with particular emphasis on their rational use based on the diverse pharmacokinetic characteristics and adverse drug reaction profiles. Referring to the current debate, potential mechanisms underlying cardiovascular side effects associated with long-term use of COX inhibitors are discussed.
Hinz
B
B
Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Fahrstrasse 17, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. hinz@pharmakologie.uni-erlangen.de
Brune
K
K
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D011720:Pyrazoles; D000082:Acetaminophen