Question

Compare and contrast a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor and other NSAIDS. Please this response should be at least 250 words in length. And make sure you cite your references used in APA format please. Thank you.

Answer 1

Comparison between Cox-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs.

NSAIDs are Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs. Cox-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) inhibitors are a sub class of NSAIDs. The NSAIDs acts by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are the chemicals which promote pain, inflammation and fever, thus, by inhibiting prostaglandins; fever, pain and inflammation can be reduced.

The other chief functions of prostaglandins are that they promotes blood clotting by promoting platelets, protects stomach and intestine from adverse effects of acid and also affects kidney function.

The inhibition of prostaglandins are achieved by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for their production; the cyclooxygenase(cox) enzyme. The are two types of cox enzymes. Cox-1 and cox 2. The difference between them are; both enzymes produces prostaglandins but only cox-1 enzymes produces prostaglandins which promote platelets and protects the GI tract.

When older NSAIDs which blocks both cox-1 and cox-2 acts by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, the pain, inflammation and fever are reduced. But along with that, due to the inhibition of prostaglandins which promotes platelets and protects stomach and intestine, there occurs formation of ulcer in the intestine and stomach and increases the risk of bleeding. On the other hand, the cox-2 inhibitors only inhibits the cox-2 enzyme and cox-1 enzyme is produced which primarily produces the prostaglandins which promotes platelets and protects stomach and intestine. Therefore, cox-2 inhibitors have advantages over normal NSAIDs. The cox-2 inhibitors are as efficient and effective as other NSAIDs in reducing pain, fever and inflammation.

This is the main contrast between cox-2 inhibitors and older NSAIDs.

reference- KD Tripati, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology.