NSAIDs

Key points

• • Inhibit COX → fewer prostaglandins → anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects.
• • Main harms: gastric ulcers, kidney impairment and increased bleeding.
• • COX-2-selective drugs generally cause less gastrointestinal toxicity than non-selective NSAIDs but may increase the risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events; the risk varies between drugs and patients.