Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in the treatment of arthritis and pain. These drugs tend to cause significant side effects, however, including gastric and intestinal toxicity. The mechanism of action of NSAIDs is through their inhibition of the key enzyme of prostaglandin biosynthesis, the cyclooxygenase. ⋯ The COX-2 selectivity of these novel NSAIDs relate well to their favorable gastrointestinal tolerability profile. Clinical trials have shown meloxicam and celecoxib to be as effective as currently available NSAIDs, but with an improved gastrointestinal tolerability profile. Further clinical trials and large-scale postmarketing surveillance programs are needed, however, to confirm the potential therapeutic benefits of these novel preferential or specific COX-2 inhibitors.