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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (standard or coxibs) - prescribing issues - Background information
What are NSAIDs?
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes and are used for a variety of therapeutic effects.
- Two exclusions from this definition are worth noting:
- Aspirin is not included in this CKS topic. Although it is technically a standard NSAID (it inhibits COX enzymes), aspirin is mainly used for antithrombotic effects rather than anti-inflammatory, analgesic, or antipyretic effects.
- Paracetamol also inhibits COX enzymes, but it has no therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects and is therefore not considered to be an NSAID.
[Neal, 2005]
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