Anti-inflammatory drugs are considered as a special medicine used to treat those who have a high fever or help relieve pain. However, there are many different types of anti-inflammatory drugs available today, so if if you use it the wrong way, it will lead to serious consequences. So how many types of anti-inflammatory drugs and unwanted effects if used improperly, let's follow the article below.
1. What are anti-inflammatory drugs?
Anti-inflammatory drugs are a group of drugs capable of inhibiting and treating inflammatory symptoms by blocking mediators.
These drugs have analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and ability to suppress the body's immune system. In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs are also effective in the treatment of bone and joint diseases, and are effective in alleviating the pain caused by osteoarthritis.
2. Anti-inflammatory drugs
Currently, there are two commonly used drugs that are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and Glucocorticoids (with steroids). The difference between these two groups is that non-steroid drugs have no addictive effects, belong to the group of peripheral anti-inflammatory drugs, and have few side effects. Meanwhile, the group of Glucocorticoid drugs are effective in the treatment of many diseases but have some dangerous side effects and extremely strict regulations when used otherwise can be life-threatening.[nbsp ]
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
In the group of NSAIDs is divided into many subgroups with different drugs: including non-selective NSAIDs and selective NSAIDs.
There are several types of non-selective NSAIDs, such as:
Salicylic Drugs: Commonly known as Aspirin. This drug can be used to reduce heat, relieve pain, and anti-inflammatory, so it is used in cases of high fever to reduce fever. Besides, with the anti-platelet aggregation mechanism to help avoid ischemic events, it is also used to prevent myocardial infarction, stroke or cerebrovascular accident.
Propionic class of drugs: Representative of this group of drugs is Ibuprofen. The drug has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. Ibuprofen is a medication commonly used to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the drug usually appear after 2 days of treatment, the drug has stronger anti-inflammatory ability than Aspirin.
Oxicam drug group: Commonly known as Piroxicam, in addition to the general effects of anti-inflammatory drugs such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. This drug can also inhibit the activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, inhibit platelet aggregation. The drug is indicated for use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute musculoskeletal diseases and sports injuries. Piroxicam is also effective for people with acute gout or in anti-inflammatory cases after surgery
The COX-2 group of selective NSAIDs is represented by drugs such as: Meloxicam, Celecoxib, Etoricoxib, etc. have antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects. The drugs in this group are often prescribed to treat people with osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, patients with gout. The drugs of this group have the ability to inhibit inflammatory activity but do not affect the organs in the body, people with liver, kidney, stomach diseases, etc. can choose to use.
Steroid-containing anti-inflammatory drugs
Anti-inflammatory drugs with Steroids are drugs that come in the form of tablets, effervescent tablets, solutions, ... can be used directly by mouth. Some common drugs:
Prednisolone is an effective anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and immunosuppressive drug. This drug works by inhibiting the function of cells and reducing the number of lymphocytes. Prednisolone is indicated for use in the treatment of diseases related to osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, asthma, gastric ulcer, temporal arteritis,... In addition, the drug is also used. in the treatment of terminal cancer diseases such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, etc.
Methylprednisolone has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and immunosuppressive main effects. This medicine can be used in combination with certain other drugs to treat endocrine disorders. Indicated in the treatment of osteoarthritis, diseases related to the digestive system such as chronic ulcerative colitis, severe allergic diseases and cases of anaphylaxis. In addition, Methylprednisolone is used in the treatment of primary dystrophy.
3. Unwanted effects if the drug is not used correctly
When using anti-inflammatory drugs can cause some side effects if you use them incorrectly, at the wrong dose and for an unreasonable time. Some problems that can occur when using these drugs are:
Systemic health effects: You may feel tired, depressed, feverish. Sometimes, having special allergic problems causes the body to have hives, body swelling, rash and hair loss. More dangerous can cause Stevens - Johnson syndrome, visual disturbances, hearing loss, ...
For the digestive system: You may feel bloated, nausea, etc. Some dangerous cases cause bleeding, stomach ulcers, stomach and intestinal bleeding. At the same time, making patients with stomach diseases get worse, the disease progresses more seriously.
For the central nervous system: Many people will experience dizziness, headache and nausea right after using drugs with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Some cases of feeling dreamy, insomnia, tinnitus affect the patient's health, quality of life and activities.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used for quick and effective relief of acute pain. Meanwhile, steroid-based anti-inflammatory drugs are usually only used to treat short-term cases. In case of long-term treatment, it is always necessary to consult a doctor. However, many people do not know this, so they abuse these drugs, causing dangerous consequences, affecting their lives if not treated promptly.
Therefore, in any case you intend to use these drugs, it is necessary to have the consent of the doctor. It is best to conduct an examination and check your health so that your doctor can help you come up with the best and most effective treatment plan.
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