Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat
pain, fever, and inflammation. Traditional NSAIDs block COX-1
and COX-2 enzymes that the body uses to manufacture substances
called prostaglandins. Since COX-1 prostaglandins are stomach-
protective, blocking this enzyme is associated with
gastrointestinal toxicity, a known side effect of these drugs.
Newer NSAIDs (called COX-2 inhibitors) block primarily COX-2
prostaglandins associated with pain, fever, and inflammation,
and might be less risky to the stomach. However, this is not
proven, and some COX-2s have been taken off the market due to
excess risk of heart attacks attributable to their use. Drugs in
this family include: - Aspirin, alternatively called
acetylsalicylic acid or ASA (Adprin-B, Anacin, Arthritis
Foundation Aspirin, Ascriptin, Aspergum, Asprimox, Bayer, BC,
Bufferin, Buffex, Cama, Cope, Easprin, Ecotrin, Empirin,
Equagesic, Fiorinal, Fiorital, Halfprin, Heartline, Genprin,
Lanorinal, Magnaprin, Measurin, Micrainin, Momentum, Norw