Anti-inflammatory products are over-the-counter and prescription drugs used to treat swelling, burning, itching and other allergic reactions. Different types of anti-inflammatory drugs have been developed to treat inflammation. Inflammation may be caused by external elements such as burns, frostbite, insect bites and radiation. Inflammation may also occur internally as a result of toxins, hypersensitivity to certain medications, arthritis and allergies. Anti-inflammatory drugs are generally safe, but others may have side effects.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Some of the most commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Examples are ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen and indometacin. NSAIDs are used in moderate doses to treat pain and fever and in higher doses to reduce inflammation, according to the Medical News Today website. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work by interfering with the enzyme cyclo oxyganase-2, which is partly responsible for pain and inflammation. Arthritis is a common condition in which over-the-counter NSAIDs are effective and generally safe. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be taken in a variety of ways: by mouth, injection, as eye drops, rectally or as topical cream. Side effects of NSAIDs may include upset stomach, stomach ulcers, heart complications and damage to the liver and kidneys.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are another common class of drugs used to treat inflammation. Corticosteroids are synthetic drugs that closely resemble the natural hormone cortisol, produced in the adrenal gland, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Corticosteroids are given by injection, in eye drops and creams and intravenously. The route of administration depends on the location of the inflammation and the amount of time the drug should stay in the body. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation by inhibiting the immune system in that specific part of the body. Depending on the strength and route of administration, side effects may include changes in appetite, mood swings, muscle weakness, acne, stomach irritation, high-blood pressure and bruising.
Immune-Selective Anti-Inflammatory Derivatives
Immune-selective anti-inflammatory derivatives, also known as ImSAIDs, are a recent development. These anti-inflammatory drugs are not steroids like corticosteroids or in the same class as typical NSAIDs. Instead, they work by targeting the elements of the immune system that trigger inflammation. According to Imulan Biotherapeutics, a bio-immunology research company, ImSAIDs are generally safe with no known toxicity, do not suppress the immune system and can be used to treat a range of inflammations, such allergies and airway restriction. In the April 2006 issue of "Neuroscience," Dr. Feng Bao and associates found that the primary ImSAID, phenylalanine-glutamate-glycine, caused no side effects.
References
- Medical News Today: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
- Cleveland Clinic: Corticosteroids
- Biotherapeutics: Immune Selective Anti-Inflammatory Derivatives
- "Neuroscience"; The Tripeptide Phenylalanine-(d) Glutamate-(d) Glycine Modulates Leukocyte Infiltration and Oxidative Damage in Rat Injured Spinal Cord; Dr. Feng Bao et al.; April 2006
