The new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Most physicians regard to newer short-acting anti-inflammatory drugs as a substitute for aspirin because they are less toxic. Although these drugs cannot induce remissions of rheumatoid arthritis, they do afford symptomatic relief and exert both a moderate algesic and anti-inflammatory effect in conditions like osteoarthritis, gout, pseudogout, and a variety of musculoskeletal syndromes. The many adverse reactions and toxic effects associated with these drugs are probably related to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase, which in turn reduces the biosynthesis of prostaglandins in widespread areas of the body. Thus limited in number, these compounds cannot play an effective role in the body's defense mechanisms. Researchers postulate that this failure accounts for the gastrointestinal and renal lesions--as well as other, as yet unexplained toxic manifestations--noted in patients taking these drugs. For safety's sake, the newer anti-inflammatory drugs should be used with large doses of aspirin, other agents that inhibit prostaglandin synthetase, or drugs that are potentially nephro-toxic.