|
Anti-inflammatory drugs are either nonsteroidal or steroidal. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include commonly used over-the-counter painkillers and fever reducers that fall into the following categories:
-
Salicylates. Includes aspirin, which is used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation and irritation.
-
Traditional NSAIDs. The largest group in the class, available in over-the-counter and prescription form. Traditional NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen.
-
COX-2 inhibitors. Help reduce pain and inflammation like traditional NSAIDs but are designed to be gentler on the stomach. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that non-aspirin NSAIDs, particularly COX-2 inhibitors, may cause an increased risk of cardiovascular events. The only COX-2 inhibitor still available in the United States is celecoxib.
The FDA has approved about two dozen types of NSAIDs. Each type affects the body in a slightly different way, and individuals may respond better to one form of NSAID than another. Physicians will often switch a patient between several types of NSAIDs to find the drug that works best with the fewest side effects.
Types of NSAIDs approved for sale in the United States include:
|
Generic Name
|
Brand Name(s)
|
| aspirin |
Adprin, Alka-Seltzer, Ascriptin, Aspergum, Bayer, Bufferin, Darvon, Easprin, Ecotrin, Excedrin, Gelpirin, Genacote, Goody’s, Halfprin, Magnaprin, Norwich, PC-CAP, Percodan, Roxiprin, St. Joseph, Supac, Sureprin, Talwin, Vanquish, ZORprin
|
|
celecoxib
|
Celebrex
|
| choline salicylate |
Arthropan |
| choline magnesium salicylate |
Trilisate |
|
diclofenac
|
Cataflam, Solaraze, Voltaren
|
|
diflunisal
|
Dolobid
|
|
etodolac
|
Lodine, Lodine XL
|
|
fenoprofen
|
Nalfon, Nalfon 200
|
|
flurbiprofen
|
Ansaid
|
|
ibuprofen
|
Advil, Bayer Select Ibuprofen, Cramp End, Dolgesic, Excedrin IB, Genpril, Haltran, Ibifon, Ibren, IBU, Ibuprin, Ibuprohm, Ibu-Tab, Medipren, Menadol, Midol IB, Motrin, Nuprin, Pamprin-IB, Q-Profen, Rufen, Trendar
|
|
indomethacin
|
Indocin, Indocin SR
|
|
ketorolac
|
Toradol
|
|
ketoprofen
|
Actron, Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail
|
| magnesium salicylate |
Doan’s, Keygesic, Mobidin, Momentum, Novasal
|
|
meclofenamate
|
Meclomen
|
|
mefenamic acid
|
Ponstel
|
|
meloxicam
|
Mobic
|
|
nabumetone
|
Relafen
|
|
naproxen
|
Aleve, Anaprox, Anaprox DS,
NapraPAC, Naprelan, Naprosyn
|
|
oxaprozin
|
Daypro
|
|
phenylbutazone
|
Cotylbutazone
|
|
piroxicam
|
Feldene
|
|
salsalate
|
Argesic, Disalcid, Mono-Gesic, Salflex, Salsitab
|
|
sulindac
|
Clinoril
|
|
tolmetin
|
Tolectin
|
Steroidal drugs are known as corticosteroids. They include:
|
Generic Name
|
Brand Name(s)
|
| alclometasone |
Aclovate |
| betamethasone |
Alphatrex, Betatrex, Beta-Val, Diprolene, Luxiq, Maxivate
|
| budesonide |
Rhinocort |
| clocortolone |
Cloderm |
| desonide |
DesOwen |
| dexamethasone |
Aeroseb-Dex, Decaderm, Decadron, Decaspray
|
| hydrocortisone (injection or oral) |
A-hydroCort, Cortet, Hydrocortone, Solu-Cortet
|
| hydrocortisone (topical) |
Ala-Cort, Ala-Scalpt, Anucort, Anu-Med, Anusert, Anusol, Aquanil, Caldecort, Cetacort, Cortagel, Cortaid, Corticaine, Cortenema, Cortifoam, Cortril, Cortizone, Dermacort, Dermarest, DermiCort, Dermtex, Gynecort, Hemorrhoidal-HC, Hemril, HydroSKIN, Hytone, LactiCare-HC, Lanicort, Locoid, Massengill, Nuprcainal, Nutracort, Orabase, Pandel, Penecort, Preparation H, Proctocort, ProctoCream, Sarnal, Scalp-Aid, Scalpcort, Texacort, Westcort, others |
| methylprednisolone |
Medrol, Meproline |
| prednisone |
Deltasone, Liquid Pred, Meticorten, Orasone, Prednicen-M, Sterapred
|
| prednisolone |
Orapred, Pediapred, Prelone |
| triamcinolone |
Aristocort, Flutex, Kenalog, Triacet |
There are also many combination products that mix an anti-inflammatory with other ingredients, such as:
-
An NSAID with an anti-anxiety agent, an anticoagulant, a barbiturate, caffeine, a decongestant, an opioid or a sleep aid
-
A corticosteroid with an antibiotic or antifungal
|
/doctor_89.jpg "ulcerative colitis tips")