The rise and fall of the COX-2 inhibitors

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most widely prescribed groups of medicines in clinical practice, their antiinflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic properties making them central to the management of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Gastro-intestinal toxicity represents some of the mostserious adverse drug reactions of this class of drugs. In an attempt to minimize these side-effects, selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors were developed. In light of increasing concerns regarding their safety, two COX-2 inhibitors – rofecoxib and valdecoxib were withdrawn from the market in September 2004 and April 2005 respectively. Various restrictions have been also imposed on all the other selective COX-2 Inhibitors.