Chapter 10: Non-narcotic Anti-Inflammatory Analgesics Presented by: Katie and Steffani

NSAID:  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug  It is a peripherally acting, anti-inflammatory analgesics.

Various Actions of Asprin:  Anti-inflammatory  Antipyretic  Analgesic  Anticoagulant

Therapeutic Uses and Clinical Problems:  Reducing Fever  Reducing Pain  Reducing inflammation  Reducing Clotting  Anticoagulation action might prevent problems if a person needs to clot and they are chemically restricted by the aspirin.

COX Inhibitor:  A chemical which inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase which converts a precursor substance to prostaglandins that cause inflammation.

# ONE & # TWO:  COX – 1 functions primarily to mediate the production of prostaglandins that protect and regulate all functions in the GI tract and regulated blood platelets to initiate clotting.  COX – 2 produce prostaglandins that mediate pain and inflammation.

Good and Bad  of the Anticoagulant Action of Aspirin:  Good - reduces hemostasis so is indicated in the treatment of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and is used to reduce risk of Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA: Stroke).  Bad  - causes symptoms ranging from dyspepsia to GI bleeds

 Theoretical advantages of COX-2 inhibitors over NSAIDs (non-selective COX-inhibitors) are decreased GI toxicity and platelet blockage.

 Correlation between COX enzyme and tumorigenesis: COX enzyme has a role in exciting tumor cell growth because it is over expressed in malignant adenomatous polyps and colon cancer.  Benefits of COX inhibitors: have preliminarily shown efficacy in treating skin and colon cancer.