[Mechanism of action of non-steroidal antirheumatic agents]

Non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs permit a nonspecific, symptomatic therapy of inflammatory rheumatic processes and may also be given for a limited period of time in patients with so-called activated osteoarthrosis. Their mode of action is a complex one. More recent knowledge on mediators in inflammation such as prostaglandins, leukotriens and oxygen radicals have brought new insights on the mode of action of non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs.