The 10 types of anti-inflammatories and their effects

Anti-inflammatory drugs are among the most widely used drugs. These drugs are used to reduce fever, pain and inflammatory processes, which is why they are so widely consumed, in addition to the fact that they are available over the counter.

We all have ibuprofen, aspirin or even enantyum in our house, drugs that we usually resort to from time to time thanks to its great effectiveness in reducing the discomfort associated with a bad gesture or any infection.

Like all medications, anti-inflammatories pose a number of risks and can involve side effects, although in most cases they are very safe. Today we are going to talk about what are the main types of anti-inflammatories and some of its uses.

• Related article: "Types of drugs (according to their use and side effects)"

What are anti-inflammatories?

Anti-inflammatory drugs are drugs that, as their name suggests, Their main function is to reduce inflammation in some tissue or organ. The inflammations can be due to an infection, immune reactions, injuries or any other process that makes that a body tissue becomes inflamed, phenomena all of them that are combated through the consumption of anti-inflammatories.

When these drugs are consumed, their active principles travel through the bloodstream and their main action is carried out, which is the to prevent the body from generating prostaglandins, molecules that are responsible for triggering the inflammatory processes of the organism. It is because of these molecules that, when we suffer some type of damage where there is inflammation, our sensitivity to pain increases in that region.

As anti-inflammatories reduce the production of prostaglandins, they reduce inflammatory processes and, in addition, they make us more resistant to pain for a certain period of time.

For this reason, after taking one of these drugs, our pain and discomfort is reduced, regardless of whether it is in an organ, tissue or in various parts of our body. Basically, what they do is "numb" the pain receptors. Added to this, anti-inflammatories have an antipyretic effect, that is, reduce body temperature and, therefore, lower fever when taken.

Classes of anti-inflammatories

It is considered that there are two large groups of anti-inflammatories.

1. Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids

Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs are drugs whose active ingredient is cortisone or its derivatives. Due to their side effects, cortisone anti-inflammatories can only be prescribed for very specific cases.

These include cortisone itself, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, sodium phosphate, prednisone, and methylprednisolone. Their consumption is not usual and they are usually prescribed for arthritis and associated discomfort.

2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are drugs whose active ingredients are well-known components in popular culture., such as ibuprofen, dexketoprofen, or naproxen.

These drugs are more popular and more prescribed because they have a better tolerance. However, it should not be trusted, since its misuse can cause problems in the digestive system, deteriorate the kidney and increase blood pressure. It is for this reason that, even if they are everyday medicines, the instructions given by the pharmacist and the doctor should be followed.

3. Are DMARDs a type of anti-inflammatory?

It should be mentioned that, although they are not considered anti-inflammatory per se, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs fall under the category of drugs with anti-inflammatory properties.

These drugs include penicillamine, chloroquine and methotrexate, which have the peculiarity that they influence rheumatoid arthritis, as it happens with many anti-inflammatories. In this case, these drugs slow the progress of the disease, apparently modifying the immune system and reducing the pain associated with the disease.

The 10 most common types of anti-inflammatory

Beyond the previous classification, there are different types of anti-inflammatories that vary both in the time it takes to take effect in the body and in their potency. The number of side effects they can bring with them and the potential risks also vary. Next we will see the most common anti-inflammatories and for what ailments they are taken.

1. Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen or (RS) -2- (4-isobutylphenyl) propanoic acid is one of the best known anti-inflammatories, maybe the most. It is highly effective and involves very little damage to the body, which is why it is so widely consumed. In addition to relieving pain, this drug reduces inflammatory processes and lowers fever.

It is indicated for all infections that occur with fever, in addition to relieving headaches, reducing pain symptoms, relieve pain after a sports injury, reduce inflammation of the mouth and throat, and reduce symptoms of arthritis. Unlike other medications, ibuprofen It has also been shown to be useful in relieving symptoms associated with migraine attacks or episodes..

As a primary precaution and indication, it is important to consume it only when any of the symptoms that We have mentioned and always respecting the maximum dose of 600 mg every 8 hours, although with 400 mg you already get enough relief.

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2. Aspirin

Aspirin is also a well-known anti-inflammatory drug worldwide. Its full name is acetylsalicylic acid and has analgesic, antipyretic, and inflammation-relieving properties. While serving the same functions as ibuprofen, aspirin is commonly used to relieve headaches.

It should be said that this anti-inflammatory has a problem, which is that it has antiplatelet effects, that is, reduces blood clotting ability with what once this medicine has been taken, if you suffer a cut, it is more difficult for the wound to heal.

3. Paracetamol

Some might be surprised to add paracetamol to this list. The reason? Well because technically it is not an anti-inflammatory. It does not belong to this group of drugs but it has the peculiarity that it has similar properties to them.

Paracetamol has analgesic properties and is useful for lowering fever, although it does not reduce inflammation and therefore it cannot be considered as an anti-inflammatory.

This drug is recommended to relieve headache, muscle pain, back pain, and reduce fever. However, it cannot be recommended to alleviate the inflammation associated with shock, trauma, injuries or arthritis because it does not have an anti-inflammatory effect and therefore does not reduce the pain associated with them injuries.

It has two names in the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry): N- (4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide and N- (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethanamide

4. Celecoxib

Celecoxib or 4- [5- (4-methylphenyl) -3- (trifluoromethyl) pyrazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide is an anti-inflammatory that used to relieve pain after injury or trauma. It is also used to reduce the symptoms of arthritis and reduce the pain of menstrual periods.

It is important to note that this drug is quite recent and, although it has been found to have a high effectiveness and that implies a lower risk of suffering gastrointestinal problems and other side effects typical of NSAIDs, it is a much more expensive treatment compared to other anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, paracetamol or aspirin.

5. Enantyum

The enantyum or (2S) -2- [3- (benzoyl) phenyl] propanoic acid, also known as dexketoprofen, a very powerful anti-inflammatory, so much so that it should not be taken without the supervision of a doctor. Its consumption should be limited to short periods, at most a week. It is used to treat acute pain during very painful situations, such as the postoperative period or for very serious cases of back pain, muscle pain and serious trauma.

6. Flurbiprofen

Flurbiprofen, also known as Strepfen, Ansaid, Ocufen and with IUPAC name of (±) -2-fluoro-α-methyl- (1,1'-biphenyl) -4-acetic acid is an anti-inflammatory used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, lower sensitivity, and prevent stiffness associated with arthritis. This drug is not recommended for people without arthritis, is not used to relieve other ailments or to lower fever because of its potential.

7. Naproxen

Naproxen or (S) -2- (6-methoxy-2-naphthyl) propanoic acid serves to reduce fever, has anti-inflammatory properties and analgesic action. This medicine is not usually used to treat minor pain or to reduce fever, but rather to treat arthritis, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, migraines and bursitis.

8. Phenylbutazone

Phenylbutazone (4-butyl-1,2-diphenylpyrazolidine-3,5-dione) it is a very powerful anti-inflammatory, only administered when other drugs have not been helpful, and is always used to treat very serious cases of chronic pain, including arthritis symptoms.

It has as an associated problem the reduction of the levels of red blood cells and white blood cells, which is why which always tries to avoid its administration or use it as a last resort in reducing the pain.

9. Piroxicam

Piroxicam is a very powerful anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve symptoms of arthritis, severe and severe menstrual pain and to reduce pain after an operation surgical It is also usually administered for when there is pain associated with prostate problems. Its IUPAC name is (8E) -8- [hydroxy- (pyridin-2-ylamino) methylidene] - 9-methyl-10,10-dioxo-10λ6-thia-9-azabicyclo [4.4.0] deca-1, 3,5-trien-7-one

10. Diclofenac

Diclofenac is another anti-inflammatory used to treat pain associated with arthritis and other symptoms, as well as to reduce pain associated with menstrual periods and to treat migraine. It should be said that this medicine it is not used to prevent migraines or to prevent other types of headaches. Its systematic name is 2- (2 - [(2,6-dichlorophenyl) amino] phenyl) acetic acid.

What side effects can they have?

Despite the fact that many anti-inflammatories are available over the counter, we must not forget that they are drugs, medications that can cause both random and overdose side effects. They are still chemical substances that interact with our body and that, despite being so useful, the body can interpret their presence as a poison to fight.

When any drug is ingested, the indications must be respected, in which the maximum daily dose according to age is indicated, for what ailments they should be taken and other instructions. These medications should never be taken on an empty stomach and the hours between one intake and the next should always be respected. If these indications are not respected, there is a risk of suffering health problems that, although they are usually mild cases, can become complicated and cause significant damage.

About 20% of people use an anti-inflammatory inappropriately (mostly abuse and misuse) can lead to stomach problems such as burning, stomach heaviness or abdominal pain. It is common for there to be digestive and intestinal problems because these types of drugs have the disadvantage that they irritate the epithelium of the digestive system.

Taking anti-inflammatories can lead to serious stomach problems. Although this occurs in a fairly small percentage, in only 2% of the cases and mostly associated with their abusive use, can cause damage associated with irritation of the digestive tract, including stomach or duodenal ulcers. There can even be serious medical conditions like internal bleeding.

Taking all this into account, it is very important to make responsible use of anti-inflammatories, in addition to taking the appropriate one for the medical condition suffered and receiving the follow-up of a professional. Not all anti-inflammatories are the same, each one has associated risks and, in addition, they must be taken in different amounts depending on the age, the type of patient and the severity of the inflammatory process for which it is want to use.