COX-2 Inhibitor (Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor)

A COX-2 inhibitor is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is designed to target the enzyme in the body that is responsible for muscle inflammation. These drugs are most often recommended for patients suffering from severe pain from osteoarthritis, though COX-2 inhibitors do have a number of potentially serious side effects and are not approved for all patients. To learn whether COX-2 inhibitors might be effective for treating your pain, the first step is to visit your doctor.

The important thing to understand about a COX-2 inhibitor is that while this medication can significantly reduce inflammation, it also has a number of risks that need to be fully understood.  Most notably, COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors are involved in the regulation of blood pressure in the body, so a number of cardiovascular concerns can arise, such as:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Stroke
• And more

Additionally, COX-2 inhibitors carry a number of other potential side effects, including:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Ulcers
• Edema

All that being said, COX-2 inhibitors can be extremely beneficial in treating pain that is caused by osteoarthritis and other types of degenerative joint disease, especially in the back and neck.  The only way to know whether a COX-2 inhibitor is right for you is to visit your doctor to diagnose your pain and to make sure you’re a candidate for pain medication.