Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs alleviate pain by counteracting the
cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme involved in pain mechanisms. Some common examples of NSAIDs are
aspirin,
ibuprofen, and
naproxen.
Analgesics commonly associated with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as
paracetamol (acetaminophen), have no peripheral anti-inflammatory effects. High, short-term doses of NSAIDs may become
toxic, causing gastric erosions,
stomach ulcers, internal bleeding,
hepatotoxicity, or
kidney disease. The risk increases almost twentyfold for those over 75.
Corticosteroids Corticosteroids, specifically
glucocorticoids or
glucocorticoid receptor agonists, are powerful anti-inflammatory agents, but they are also powerful
immunosuppressants and are associated with various
toxicities, which constrain their use.
Antileukotrienes Antileukotrienes are anti-inflammatory agents which function as
leukotriene-related
enzyme inhibitors (
arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase) or leukotriene
receptor antagonists (
cysteinyl leukotriene receptors), and consequently oppose the function of these inflammatory mediators. Although they are not used for
analgesic benefits, they are used to manage diseases related to inflammation of the lungs, such as
asthma, as well as being used for
sinus inflammation in
allergic rhinitis. Examples include
montelukast and
zileuton.
Monoclonal antibodies Monoclonal antibodies, for instance against
pro-inflammatory cytokines like
interleukin-6 (
anti-interleukin-6) and
tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) (
TNF inhibitors), are approved and used in the treatment
autoimmune diseases and other
inflammatory conditions.
Colchicine Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory agent that disrupts the function of cytoskeletal by inhibiting
microtubule polymerization, doing so prevents the activation, degranulation and migration of
neutrophils. Colchicine is mostly used in treatment of acute
gout. It can also be used for treating
familial Mediterranean fever and
pericarditis. == Investigational and off-label ==