Clinical implications of cyclooxygenase inhibition in perioperative pain management

Background: Discoveries in the molecular mechanisms of pain states and pain process es have led to new pharmacological therapies Recent elucidation of the different isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX) has brought about the understanding that COX-1 inhibition is re sponsible for many of the observed side ef fects while COX-2 inhibition results in therapeutic effects seen with agents such as aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The development of cyclooxygenase (COX) selective inhibitors has offered clinicians newer therapeutic strategies in pain management and in disease states involving inflammatory processes. Data collection: An overview of the literature in this interesting field. Conclusion: This review provides insight into the pharmacology of eicosanoids, COX inhibitors, and the role of newer COX 2 inhibitors for treatment of pain, fever, and inflammatory processes.