COX-2 Inhibitors
1. What is a COX-2 inhibitor? Why is it named so? How does it differ from COX-1 inhibitors? (3)
COX-2 inhibitors are drugs used to treat inflammation. An example of a COX-2 inhibitor would be Celebrex. They are named COX-2 inhibitors because they inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) which is the enzyme responsible for inflammation. COX-2 inhibitors only affect inflammation while COX-1 would affect both inflammation and gastric acids in the stomach. COX-1 could lead to stomach issues with prolonged use.
2. Compare (similarities and differences) COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs in terms of their mode of action. (3)
Both are forms of drugs that block enzymes that produce prostaglandins and are used to treat inflammation. Traditional NSAIDs will be used …show more content…
to block both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. This will affect both inflammation and gastric acid in the stomach. COX-2 inhibitors are a selective drug that will only block the COX-2 enzyme. COX-2 is not located in the stomach and is found in areas around the body that are commonly associated with inflammation. That is how COX-2 inhibitors do not affect the stomach like traditional NSAIDs may.
3. What could be the specific contributing factor that makes Vioxx a cardiotoxic drug while other COX-2 inhibitors do not have much effect on thrombosis? (2)
There are two fatty acids that contribute to blood clotting in the body.
Prostacyclin is used in the body to prevent blood cells from clumping and dilates the blood vessels. Thromboxane has the opposite affect and causes the blood to clump together and will constrict the blood vessels. COX-2 inhibitors will only block prostacyclin. This can cause a shift in balance that will favor thromboxane and cause an increase in blood clots. What makes Vioxx mare harmful than other COX-2 inhibitors is the fact that it has one of the longest half-lives and will highly target COX-2. These two factors may be the cause to the cardiovascular problems.
4. Name 4 other COX-2 inhibitor drugs. What is your opinion on continuing usage of other COX-2 inhibitors in medicine? (2)
Tilmacoxib, Apricoxib, Bextra (Valdecoxib), and Celecoxib.
Celecoxib (Celebrex) is the only COX-2 inhibitor currently available in the United States. I would still approve of COX-2 inhibitors, but only after extensive studies on the drugs. For a COX-2 inhibitor it should not be highly selective for COX-2 and it should have a short lifespan in the body. Individuals who take the drug should not be on it for an extensive period. Regular blood checks should be taken to ensure the patient’s health. As long as these precautions are followed I would approve of COX-2
inhibitors.
COX-2 inhibitors are drugs used to treat inflammation. An example of a COX-2 inhibitor would be Celebrex. They are named COX-2 inhibitors because they inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) which is the enzyme responsible for inflammation. COX-2 inhibitors only affect inflammation while COX-1 would affect both inflammation and gastric acids in the stomach. COX-1 could lead to stomach issues with prolonged use.
2. Compare (similarities and differences) COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs in terms of their mode of action. (3)
Both are forms of drugs that block enzymes that produce prostaglandins and are used to treat inflammation. Traditional NSAIDs will be used …show more content…
to block both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. This will affect both inflammation and gastric acid in the stomach. COX-2 inhibitors are a selective drug that will only block the COX-2 enzyme. COX-2 is not located in the stomach and is found in areas around the body that are commonly associated with inflammation. That is how COX-2 inhibitors do not affect the stomach like traditional NSAIDs may.
3. What could be the specific contributing factor that makes Vioxx a cardiotoxic drug while other COX-2 inhibitors do not have much effect on thrombosis? (2)
There are two fatty acids that contribute to blood clotting in the body.
Prostacyclin is used in the body to prevent blood cells from clumping and dilates the blood vessels. Thromboxane has the opposite affect and causes the blood to clump together and will constrict the blood vessels. COX-2 inhibitors will only block prostacyclin. This can cause a shift in balance that will favor thromboxane and cause an increase in blood clots. What makes Vioxx mare harmful than other COX-2 inhibitors is the fact that it has one of the longest half-lives and will highly target COX-2. These two factors may be the cause to the cardiovascular problems.
4. Name 4 other COX-2 inhibitor drugs. What is your opinion on continuing usage of other COX-2 inhibitors in medicine? (2)
Tilmacoxib, Apricoxib, Bextra (Valdecoxib), and Celecoxib.
Celecoxib (Celebrex) is the only COX-2 inhibitor currently available in the United States. I would still approve of COX-2 inhibitors, but only after extensive studies on the drugs. For a COX-2 inhibitor it should not be highly selective for COX-2 and it should have a short lifespan in the body. Individuals who take the drug should not be on it for an extensive period. Regular blood checks should be taken to ensure the patient’s health. As long as these precautions are followed I would approve of COX-2
inhibitors.