VPT 321: Veterinary Neuropharmacology (2+1)

Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID)

NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS

Non narcotic analgesics (pain killers)

• Are weaker analgesics or non-narcotic
• Also called aspirin - like drugs
• Most widely used / abused class of drugs
• As over the counter drug in many countries
• At first salicylic acid from Salix alba (Willow bark) was used for centuries
• Sodium salicylate was used since 1875
• Aspirin (Acetyl salicylic acid) from 1899
• The landmark observation of Vane et al 1971, paved the way for understanding the mechanism of inflammation and role of prostaglandins
• Inhibition of Prostaglandin synthesis (PG) 
• Role of Cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX enzyme)
• Two isoforms of COX – COX₁ and COX₂ have been identified
• Injury due to heat, trauma, infection, chemical etc. where there will be
• Greater blood flow,
• Migration of cells,
• Release of inflammatory mediators like Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, different cytokines etc.,
• If release of these products can be reduced ► inflammation can be reduced
• Hence the use of these NSAIDs come into play.