| Anti-inflammatory: INTRODUCTION: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain and reduce inflammation. They are one of the most commonly used medications in adults. A variety of NSAIDs are available, including at least 20 in the United States and more elsewhere. Anti-inflammatory refers to the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs make up about half of analgesics, remedying pain by reducing inflammation as opposed to opioids which affect the brain. HOW THEY WORK — NSAIDs work to reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting enzymes, called cyclooxygenases, which participate in the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins have a number of functions in the body. Some of their more important ones include: - Cause pain when they come in contact with certain nerve fibers
- Help protect the stomach lining against acid and digestive enzymes
- Participate in both blood flow and blood clotting regulation
- In some people, prostaglandins are important regulators of blood flow in the kidney
TYPES OF NSAIDs — There are two main types of NSAIDs, nonselective and selective. The terms nonselective and selective refer to different NSAIDs ability to inhibit specific types of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. - NSAIDs that inhibit COX enzymes found at sites of inflammation (COX-2) more than the type that is normally found in the stomach, blood platelets, and blood vessels (COX-1) are referred to as selective NSAIDs.
- NSAIDs that inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes to a similar degree are called nonselective NSAIDs.
SIDE EFFECTS — Most people tolerate NSAIDs without any difficulty. However, side effects can occur. The most common side effects include the following: - Gastrointestinal system — Short term use of NSAIDs can cause stomach upset (dyspepsia). Long term use of NSAIDs, especially at high doses, can lead to peptic ulcer disease and bleeding from the stomach.
- Liver toxicity — Long term use of NSAIDs, especially at high doses, can harm the liver. Monitoring the liver function with blood tests may be recommended in some cases.
- Kidney toxicity — Use of NSAIDs, even for a short period of time, can harm the kidneys. This is especially true in people with underlying kidney
- disease. The blood pressure and kidney function should be monitored at least once per year.
- Ringing in the ears — Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) is common in people who take high doses of aspirin, although it can also occur in people who take other NSAIDs. The ringing usually resolves when the dose is decreased.
Possible side effects of NSAIDS are: - upset stomach.
- stomach bleeding or ulcers.
- high blood pressure.
- dizziness or ringing in the ears.
- rash.
- kidney problems.
Some COX-2 inhibitors have been linked to a greater risk of heart attacks and stroke. If you are taking this type of NSAID, talk to your health care provider about this. Long-term use of a steroidal medicine can have more serious side effects. They include: - loss of bone leading to osteoporosis.
- eye problems such as cataracts or glaucoma.
- problems fighting infection.
- mood changes.
- high blood pressure.
- increased blood szugar and diabetes.
Analgesic: A drug or medicine given to reduce pain without resulting in loss of consciousness. Analgesics are sometimes referred to as painkiller medications. There are many different types of analgesic medications available in both prescription and over-the-counter preparations. Examples of analgesic drugs include aspirin, acetaminophen , ibuprofen , naproxen , the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib, and narcotic drugs including morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone (Vicodin). Common side effects and adverse reactions: · nausea · vomiting · drowsiness · dry mouth · miosis (contraction of the pupil) · orthostatic hypotension (blood pressure lowers upon sudden standing) · urinary retention · constipation and/or fecal impaction | Less common side effects and adverse reactions: · confusion · hallucinations · delirium · hives · itch · hypothermia · bradycardia (slow heart rate) · tachycardia (rapid heart rate) · raised intracranial pressure · ureteric or biliary spasm · muscle rigidity · flushing |
Most severe side effects and adverse reactions: · respiratory depression · fatal overdose Antipyretic 1. relieving or reducing fever. 2. An agent that so acts.Drugs that lower your body temperature from a raised state. However, they will not affect the normal body temperature if one does not have fever.Antipyretics cause the hypothalamus to override an interleukin-induced increase in temperature. The body will then work to lower the temperature and the result is a reduction in fever. Most are also used for other purposes. For example, the most common antipyretics in the United States are aspirin and paracetamol , which are used primarily as pain relievers. NSAIDs are antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and pain relievers. There is some debate over the appropriate useof such medications: fever is part of the bodys immune response to infection. Antipyretics are drugs that can reduce a fever. Most of them are also used for other purposes. For example, the most common antipyretics in the United States are aspirin and acetaminophen, which are used primarily as pain relievers.Antipyretics are drugs that reduce body temperature in situations such as fever. However, they will not affect the normal body temperature if one does not have fever. Uses: .-Effective against fever.
- An agent that relieves fever. Cold packs, aspirin and quinine are all antipyretics. Antipyretic drugs dilate the blood vessels near the surface of the skin, thereby allowing more blood to flow through the skin with increased heat loss by radiation and convection. Also, an antipyretic can increase perspiration, the evaporation of which cools the body. |
