AN OVERVIEW OF NSAIDS USED IN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC ACTIVITY AND PREVENTION GASTROINTESTINAL DAMAGE

Abstract

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents/analgesics (NSAIDs) are a class of drugs that provide analgesic, antipyretic (fever-reducing)  and  in higher doses anti-inflammatory effects. The term "nonsteroidal" distinguishes these drugs from steroids, which among a broad range of other effects, have a similar eicosanoid-depressing, anti-inflammatory action. As analgesics, NSAIDs are unusual in that they are non narcotic. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most highly prescribed drugs in the world. Their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic actions may be beneficial, they are associated with severe side effects including gastrointestinal injury and peptic ulceration. The most prominent members of this group of drugs are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. All of the drugs are available over the counter in most countries. NSAIDs are usually indicated for the treatment of acute or chronic conditions where pain and inflammation are present. In 2001, NSAIDs accounted for 70,000,000 prescriptions and 30 billion over-the-counter doses sold annually in the United States. In this paper, the mechanism of action of NSAIDs and their critical gastrointestinal complications have been reviewed. This paper also provides the information on different preventive measures prescribed to minimize such adverse effects and analyses the new suggested strategies for development of novel drugs to maintain the anti-inflammatory functions of NSAIDs along with effective gastrointestinal protection.

Keyword- Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, NSAIDs, Gastrointestinal Damage.