Bookcase
BMJ 1999; 318 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.318.7199.1706b (Published 19 June 1999) Cite this as: BMJ 1999;318:1706- Christopher Martyn (cmartyn@bmj.com)
- BMJ
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work their magic by inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase, an enzyme vital to the synthesis of prostaglandins. Actually, there are two isoforms of the enzyme:cyclo-oxygenase-1, which has a physiological role in many tissues, including protection of the gastric mucosa, and cyclo-oxygenase-2, which is induced by proinflammatory stimuli. The older generations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibited both isoforms, so it is not surprising that adverse effects are common. Selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £164 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£30 / $37 / €33 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.