Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: prostaglandins, indications, and side effects

nsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: prostaglandins, indications, and side effects Review (6182) Total Article Views Authors: Ippokratis Pountos, Theodora Georgouli, Howard Bird, et al Published Date January 2011 Volume 2011:3 Pages 19 - 27 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IJICMR.S10200 Ippokratis Pountos1, Theodora Georgouli1, Howard Bird2, Peter V Giannoudis1 1Academic Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, 2Section of Musculoskeletal Disease, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK Abstract: For centuries, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been part of our clinical practice. They started out as drugs with anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, and gradually their use has been expanded to new therapeutic targets, some of which are unrelated to their primary mode of action. Today, our armamentarium includes a large range of compounds, attesting to their utility in the treatment of clinical pathologies ranging from pain and inflammation to prevention and treatment of cancer. On the other hand, although NSAIDs share many common properties, their use poses risks, and physicians should be cognizant of their subtle differences and potential complications. In this context, this review article presents insight into NSAIDs’ pathophysiology and mode of action in the clinical setting, their indications, and their potential side effects.