What Is A COX-2 Inhibitor And How Is It Used To Treat Pain Resulting From Rheumatoid Arthritis?

— -- Question: What is a COX-2 inhibitor and how is it used to treat pain resulting from rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories work by inhibiting certain enzymes in the body that lead to inflammation.

The older non steroidal anti- inflammatories called traditional non steroidal such as ibuprofen, Piroxicam, naprisin, l have potential side effects most importantly gastrointestinal irritation.

So new drugs called COX-2 selective non-steroidal inflammatories, because they only inhibit certain enzymes and the feeling was that they would be safer. In actuality some of them are safer with regard to gastrointestinal tract but two of them have been taken of the market because of an increase risk of skin rashes and heart disease.

As always with every medication you have to speak with to your doctor and let them know of all your problems and then you make a cost benefit decision as to what to take. Once having taking it, you have to be monitored with regard to blood tests, Kidney function tests, your blood pressure and whether you are having any swelling of the legs.

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