Does a coxib-associated thrombotic risk limit the clinical use of the compounds as analgesic, antiinflammatory drugs?

Summary

The issue of the risk-benefit assessment of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, as compared to traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tNSAIDs), is far from being resolved. These compounds need to be carefully re-evaluated in order to avoid hasty conclusions, as it happened when COX-2 inhibitors were introduced into clinical practice. Several arguments support the concept, that COX-2 inhibitors remain a valuable therapeutic option at least for selected patients.

Keywords

Arterial thrombosis - lipid mediators - inflammation - haemostasis - clinical studies

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