The 10 types of anti-inflammatory drugs and their effects.

A summary of the main types of Anti-Inflammatory drugs most commonly used in medicine today.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are among the most consumed medications. These drugs are used to reduce fever, pain and inflammatory processes, which is why they are so widely consumed, in addition to the fact that they are over-the-counter.

We all have ibuprofen, aspirin or even enantyum in our homes, drugs that we tend to resort to from time to time thanks to their great effectiveness in reducing the discomfort associated with a bad gesture or an infection.

Like all medications, anti-inflammatory drugs carry a number of risks and may involve side effects, although in most cases they are very safe. Today we are going to talk about what are the main types of anti-inflammatory drugs and some of their uses. and some of their uses.

What are anti-inflammatory drugs?

Anti-inflammatory drugs are drugs that, as their name suggests, have as main function to reduce the inflammation in some tissue or organ.. Inflammation may be due to infection, immune reactions, injury or any other process that causes a body tissue to become inflamed, all of which are combated by taking anti-inflammatory drugs.

When these drugs are consumed, their active ingredients travel through the bloodstream and carry out their main action, which is to prevent the body from generating prostaglandins, molecules that are responsible for triggering the body's inflammatory processes. It is because of these molecules that, when we suffer some kind of damage where there is inflammation, our sensitivity to pain increases in that region.

As anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the production of prostaglandins, they reduce the inflammatory processes and also make us more resistant to pain for a certain period of time.

For this reason, after taking one of these drugs, our pain and discomfort is reduced, regardless of whether it is in one organ, tissue or in various parts of our body. Basically, what they do is "numb" the pain receptors. In addition to this, anti-inflammatory drugs have an antipyretic effect, i.e. they reduce the body temperature and, therefore, the body's temperature, they reduce body temperature and, therefore, lower fever when taken..

Classes of anti-inflammatory drugs

There are considered to be two main groups of anti-inflammatory drugs.

1. Corticosteroid anti-inflammatories

Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs are drugs whose active ingredient is cortisone or its derivatives.. Due to their side effects, cortisone anti-inflammatory drugs can only be prescribed for very specific cases.

These include cortisone itself, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, sodium phosphate, prednisone and methylprednisolone. Their consumption is not usual and they are usually prescribed for arthritis and associated discomfort.

2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are drugs whose active ingredients are quite well known components in popular culture, such as ibuprofen, ibuprofen, ibuprofen, ibuprofen, ibuprofen and naproxen.such as ibuprofen, dexketoprofen or naproxen.

These drugs are more popular and more prescribed because they are better tolerated. However, one should not be overconfident, since their misuse can cause problems in the digestive system, deteriorate the kidney and increase blood pressure. For this reason, even if they are everyday medicines, the indications given by the pharmacist and the doctor should be followed.

3. Are DMARDs a type of anti-inflammatory?

It is worth mentioning that, although they are not considered as anti-inflammatory per se, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs fall into the category of drugs with anti-inflammatory properties..

Among these drugs are penicillamine, chloroquine and methotrexate, which have the peculiarity of influencing rheumatoid arthritis, as do many anti-inflammatory drugs. In this case, these drugs slow the progression of the disease, apparently by modifying the immune system and reducing the pain associated with the disease.

The 10 most common types of anti-inflammatory drugs

Beyond the above classification, there are different types of anti-inflammatory drugs that vary both in the time it takes for them to take effect in the body and in their potency. They also vary in the amount of side effects they can bring with them and the potential risks. The following are the most common anti-inflammatory drugs and the ailments for which they are taken..

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen or (RS)-2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propanoic acid is one of the best known anti-inflammatory drugs, perhaps the best known.perhaps the best known. It is highly effective and does little harm to the body, which is why it is so widely used. In addition to relieving pain, this drug reduces inflammatory processes and lowers fever.

It is indicated for all infections with fever, in addition to relieving headaches, reducing menstrual cramps, relieving pain after sports injuries, reducing inflammation of the mouth and throat and reducing arthritis symptoms. Unlike other drugs, Ibuprofen has also been shown to be useful in relieving the symptoms associated with migraine attacks or episodes..

As a precaution and primary indication, it is important to consume it only when any of the symptoms we have mentioned are present and always respecting the maximum dose of 600 mg every 8 hours, although 400 mg already provides enough relief.

2. Aspirin

Aspirin is also a well-known anti-inflammatory drug worldwide. Its full name is acetylsalicylic acid and it is also called has analgesic, antipyretic and inflammation relieving properties.. Although it performs the same functions as ibuprofen, aspirin is commonly used to relieve headaches.

It should be said that this anti-inflammatory drug has a problem, which is that it has antiaggregant effects, i.e., it reduces the capacity of blood coagulation so that once you have taken this medicine, if you suffer a cut, it is more difficult for the wound to heal.

3. Paracetamol

It may come as a surprise to some to add paracetamol to this list. Why? Because it is not technically an anti-inflammatory. It does not belong to this group of drugs but it has the particularity that it has similar properties to them.

Paracetamol has analgesic properties and is useful for reducing fever, although it does not reduce inflammation and therefore cannot be considered an anti-inflammatory. and therefore cannot be considered as an anti-inflammatory.

This drug is recommended for some relief of headache, muscle pain, back pain and fever reduction. However, it cannot be recommended to relieve inflammation associated with shock, trauma, injury and arthritis because it has no anti-inflammatory effect and therefore does not reduce the pain associated with these injuries.

It has two IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) names: N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide and N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethanamide.

4. Celecoxib

Celecoxib or 4-[5-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]benzene sulfonamide is an anti-inflammatory drug that is used to alleviate pain that occurs during the is used to relieve pain following injury or trauma.. It is also used to reduce the symptomatology of arthritis and to reduce the pain associated with menstrual periods.

It is important to note that this drug is fairly new and, although it has been found to be highly effective and involves a lower risk of gastrointestinal problems and other side effects typical of NSAIDs, is a significantly more expensive treatment compared to other anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, paracetamol or aspirin.

5. Enantyum

Enantyum or (2S)-2-[3-(benzoyl)phenyl]propanoic acid, also known as dexketoprofen is a very potent anti-inflammatory, so much so that it should not be taken without a doctor's supervision. Its use should be limited to short periodsat most one week. It is used to treat acute pain during quite painful situations, such as postoperative or very severe cases of back pain, muscle pain and serious trauma.

6. Flurbiprofen

Flurbiprofen, also known as Strepfen, Ansaid, Ocufen and with IUPAC name of (±)-2-fluoro-α-methyl-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4-acetic acid is an anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, lower tenderness and prevent stiffness associated with arthritis. This drug is not recommended in people who do not have arthritis, nor is it used to relieve other ailments or to lower fever due to its potential.

7. Naproxen

Naproxen or (S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propanoic acid is used to reduce fever, has anti-inflammatory properties and analgesic action. This drug is not usually used to treat minor aches and pains or to lower fever, but rather to treat arthritis, osteoarthritis, tendinitis, migraines and bursitis..

8. Phenylbutazone

Phenylbutazone (4-butyl-1,2-diphenylpyrazolidine-3,5-dione) is a very potent anti-inflammatory drug. is a very potent anti-inflammatory, only administered when other drugs have not helped.It is always used to treat very severe cases of chronic pain, including arthritis symptoms.

It has the associated problem of reducing the levels of red blood cells and white blood cells, which is why it is always tried to avoid its administration or to use it as a last resort in pain reduction.

9. Piroxicam

Piroxicam is a very potent anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve the symptoms of arthritis. to relieve symptoms of arthritis, acute and severe menstrual pain and to reduce pain after surgery. surgery. It is also often given for pain associated with prostate problems. Its IUPAC name is (8E)-8-[hydroxy-[hydroxy-(pyridin-2-ylamino)methylidene]- 9-methyl-10,10-dioxo-10λ6-thia-9-azabicyclo[4.4.0] deca-1,3,5-trien-7-one.

10. Diclofenac

Diclofenac is another anti-inflammatory drug used to treat pain associated with arthritis and other symptoms, as well as to reduce pain associated with menstrual periods and to treat migraine. It should be noted that this drug is not used to prevent migraines, nor is it used to prevent other types of headaches.. Its systematic name is 2-(2-(2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino]phenyl)acetic acid.

What side effects can they have?

Although many anti-inflammatory drugs are available over-the-counter, we must not forget that they are drugs, drugs that can cause side effects both random and associated with overdosage.. They are still chemical substances that interact with our organism and that, despite being so useful, the body can interpret their presence as a toxin to be fought.

When any drug is taken, the indications must be respected, in which the maximum daily dose is indicated according to the age, for which ailments they must be taken and other instructions. These drugs should never be taken on an empty stomach and the hours between one intake and the next should always be respected. If these instructions are not followed, there is a risk of suffering health problems which, although they are usually minor cases, can become complicated and cause serious damage.

About 20% of the people who take an anti-inflammatory drug inappropriately (mostly abuse and misuse), are at risk of suffering health problems. (mostly abuse and misuse) may develop stomach problems such as heartburn, stomach heaviness or abdominal pain. Digestive and intestinal problems are common due to the fact that this type of drugs have the disadvantage of irritating the epithelium of the digestive system.

The consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to serious stomach problems. Although this occurs in a fairly small percentage, only 2% of cases and mostly associated with an abusive use of them, can cause damage associated with irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, including stomach or duodenal ulcers.. Even serious medical conditions such as internal bleeding can occur.

Taking all this into account, it is very important to make a responsible use of anti-inflammatory drugs, in addition to taking the right one for the medical condition you are suffering from and to be followed up by a professional. Not all anti-inflammatory drugs are the same, each one has some associated risks and, in addition, they should be taken in different amounts depending on the age, the type of patient and the severity of the inflammatory process for which they are to be used.