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COX-2 Inhibitors
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors are the newest type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to be introduced.
Enzymes are proteins that start biochemical processes within the body. Cyclooxygenase (COX) is an enzyme that helps to change fats from the diet into other chemical that are used by the body in various ways. In the past decade or so, scientists have found that humans have at least two different kinds of COX enzymes?COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1, which is widely distributed in the body, has a number of activities which include helping to protect the kidneys and stomach. The much less common COX-2 concentrates mainly at areas of inflammation.
Older (also called traditional) NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, inhibit COX-2, but they also block COX-1. As a result, they may cause or worsen stomach ulcers and they may lead to kidney damage?especially when they are taken for a long time. Older individuals and those who use more than one NSAID at a time, take certain other drugs, or drink alcohol while taking an NSAID have increased risk of kidney or stomach side effects.
However, COX-2 inhibitors specifically target COX-2 without much effect on COX-1. Therefore, they control pain and inflammation about as well as traditional NSAIDs with less chance of causing problems in the kidneys or stomach. After they were approved, some COX-2 inhibitors were associated with serious cardiovascular side effects?including blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes?causing them to be removed from the market.
Drugs in the class
Celecoxib Capsules
(
Celebrex
)
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