Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Nonsteroidal
antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain and inflammation.
NSAIDs often are used to relieve mild to moderate pain for all
types of cancer. This class of drugs eases discomfort by
blocking the pathway of an enzyme that creates prostaglandins
(hormones that cause pain and swelling). By doing so, the drugs
lessen the pain in different parts of the body. Some of the
NSAIDs used in cancer treatment include: ibuprofen (Motrin,
Advil, Rufen, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Naprelan, Anaprox,
Aleve), nabumetone (Relafen), ketorolac, sulindac and diclofenac
(Cataflam, Voltaren). The class of drugs known as
Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors that emerged in the late 1990s for
dealing with arthritis pain, such as the brand names Celebrex
and Vioxx, is also considered part of the group of NSAIDS. If
NSAIDs are not strong enough to keep a cancer patient
comfortable, physicians often will combine them with opioids,
such as codeine. In later stages, doctors also may combine
NSAIDs