[Nimesulide - a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a preferential cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor]

Nimesulide (Aulin) refers to the class of sulphonanilides, which is unique among the non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), being also the first drug on the market of pharmaceuticals, which preferentially inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). This enzyme takes part in the synthesis of prostaglandin, which is produced in the course of the cascade of the inflammation process and has relation to the pathogenesis of pain, inflammation and fever, while the COX-1 enzyme forms prostaglandin, which projects the gastro-intestinal mucosis. Many newly found factors, together with the preferential inhibition of COX-2, are also contributing to the therapeutic effects of Nimesulide. The therapeutic concentration of non-combined active substance in blood-circulation reduces the following indicators: the activity of the myeloperoxidase; the release of cytokines; the histamine effects; the synthesis of stromelysin and collagenase, which pull down the proteoglicans and collagen. It is also characteristic of Nimesulide its antioxidant activity and suppression of: the synthesis of superoxidic ions from the neutrophils; also, the synthesis of platelet activating factor. Nimesulide shows good tolerability and is safe with patients having respiratory problems due to treatment with other NSAIDs.