[Is there a future for COX-2 inhibitors?]

The two cyclooxygenase isoforms (COX-1 and COX-2--coxibs) have overlapping functions and both are involved in the regulation of homeostatic and inflammatory processes in the various tissues. Treatment with highly selective COX-2 inhibitors is associated with significantly fewer serious adverse gastrointestinal events than is treatment with the dual inhibitors--the non-selective NSAIDs. Of the two coxibs, rofecoxib was shown to be much more selective than celecoxib and with less interaction with other drugs. Various clinical studies have demonstrated that the coxibs are equivalent, in anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic efficacy to comparator non-selective NSAIDs in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post surgery pain and dysmenorrhea. Perioperative use of coxibs reduces pain, opioid consumption and the risk of bleeding caused by the non-selective NSAIDs. The coxibs show similar tolerability for renal, liver and cardiothrombotic events as compared to the non-selective NSAIDs. Coxibs are contraindicated in pregnancy, in nursing mothers and pediatric patients and should be used with caution in patients with asthma. The impact of the coxibs on the cardiovascular system is controversial. However, coxibs should be used in caution and at the lowest recommended dose in patients with hypertension, ischemic heart disease and heart failure. These drugs do not interfere with the aspirin anti-platelet aggregation activity. Emerging evidence suggest that the coxibs may also find potential use as supportive therapy in various malignant tumors and intestinal polyps where COX-2 is overly expressed.