Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely used medications today. Although their exact mechanism of action is unclear, inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis contributes significantly to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and antiplatelet effects. In recent years, additional mechanisms of action have been proposed for NSAIDs, and these may explain the variability commonly noted in patient response and tolerability to individual NSAIDs. NSAID therapy is not without risk, and serious adverse effects involving the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, blood, and liver have been reported.