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MD Pharmacology NMC syllabus ~5 min read Recent advances last updated on 2026-06-22

NSAIDs & COX Inhibitors

Cyclooxygenase Biology, Selective COX-2 Inhibitors, Aspirin & Paracetamol — Mechanism, Toxicity & Pain Pharmacotherapy

Past RGUHS + DNB + MPMSU + MUHS + VNSGU · 24 RGUHSSep '25 MPMSUMay '25 MUHSWinter '24 RGUHSDec '23 RGUHSJul '23 DNBJun '22 VNSGUApr '22 DNBDec '21 MPMSUJul '20 DNBJun '20 MPMSUMay '19 MPMSUJun '17 MUHSSummer '17 Suppl DNBDec '16 DNBDec '15 DNBDec '13 RGUHSMay '11 MPMSU2011 MPMSU2011 RGUHSMay '10 RGUHSApr '08 RGUHSSep '06 RGUHSApr '06 MPMSU2004

Introduction

  • NSAIDs — a chemically diverse class of weak organic acids with analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions, acting by inhibiting the prostaglandin (PG) G/H synthase enzymes — the cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2).
  • Non-opioid / aspirin-like — unlike morphine they do not depress the CNS, cause no dependence or abuse, and are especially effective in inflammatory pain; Vane (1971) established PG-synthesis inhibition as the core mechanism.
  • Paracetamol — grouped here but a special case — good antipyretic/analgesic with only weak anti-inflammatory action.
  • Symptomatic only — NSAIDs relieve pain/inflammation but do not retard joint destruction in RA, OA or rheumatic fever.
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Nsaids Cox Inhibitors

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