The anti-inflammatory agents used in rheumatic disorders.

The objectives of nonspecific anti-inflammatory therapy are, for the most part, to relieve symptoms. In selected patients such therapy may also slow, prevent, or reverse the destructive effects of the inflammatory process. It is well to remember that none of the wide variety of anti-inflammatory agents is without some inherent toxicity, although some agents are obviously much more toxic than others. The physician prescribing these agents must keep in mind both the potential benefits and the potential risks attendant to their use. In this way he can balance potential benefit against potential risk and arrive at the most rational drug therapy for any given rheumatic disorder.