Nimesulide is a selective COX-2 inhibitory, atypical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
In this review it is shown that nimesulide, a selective cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, is different from other selective COX-2 inhibitors and classical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The anti-inflammatory effect mechanism of nimesulide (inhibition of inflammatory mediators) is similar to other classic NSAIDs, but the protective effect of nimesulide on classic NSAID-induced ulcers elucidates the difference between nimesulide and these other drugs. It is known that the selective COX-2 inhibitor nimesulide prevents NSAID-induced ulcers, while celecoxib and rofecoxib, which are more selective to COX-2, failed to prevent these ulcers. Nimesulide produces gastro-protective effects via a completely different mechanism. In addition, while selective COX-2 inhibitors increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases, nimesulide does not exert significant cardiotoxicity. This data suggests that gastrointestinal side effects of classic NSAIDs cannot be related to the COX-1 inhibition alone and also suggest that nimesulide is an atypical NSAID, which is different from both non-selective and selective COX-2 inhibitors.
Suleyman
H
H
Ataturk University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey. suleyman@atauni.edu.tr
Cadirci
E
E
Albayrak
A
A
Halici
Z
Z
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D013449:Sulfonamides; C012655:nimesulide