Introduction to the pharmacology of suprofen

A number of peripherally acting analgesics have become available in the past two decades for the treatment of mild to moderate pain of diverse etiology. The action of these agents is based on their putative ability to inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis and attenuate hyperalgesia. Suprofen is a new and potent peripherally acting analgesic with anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties which appears to inhibit prostaglandin synthetase in a tissue-selective manner. In preclinical studies, suprofen was shown to possess a wide separation of analgesic activity from gastrointestinal irritation. Suprofen appears to exert its pharmacological effect by inhibiting synthesis of prostaglandins from precursor arachidonic acid, inhibiting the pain induced by bradykinin, and by raising the threshold to pain induced by prostaglandins. The onset of action is rapid with peak analgesic effect reached in 1-2 h. Preclinical data suggest that suprofen may be an extremely valuable and versatile analgesic for the clinical management of pain.