Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

COX Inhibitors

COX inhibitors are drugs that block cyclooxygenase, the enzyme that converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandins and thromboxanes, the lipid mediators that drive inflammation, pain, fever, and platelet aggregation. Cyclooxygenase exists as two principal isoforms: COX-1, constitutively expressed and involved in gast…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 6 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 14× across the literature 🗓 Reviewed June 2026

Overview

COX inhibitors are drugs that block cyclooxygenase, the enzyme that converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandins and thromboxanes, the lipid mediators that drive inflammation, pain, fever, and platelet aggregation. Cyclooxygenase exists as two principal isoforms: COX-1, constitutively expressed and involved in gastric protection and platelet function, and COX-2, induced at sites of inflammation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit these enzymes with varying selectivity, and the balance of COX-1 versus COX-2 inhibition shapes both therapeutic effects and adverse-effect profiles, including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and hypersensitivity risks. Preferential and selective COX-2 inhibitors were developed to reduce gastrointestinal harm, and research relevant to this area examines their pharmacologic behavior, such as evidence that a preferential COX-2 inhibitor does not impair platelet aggregation, distinguishing it from agents that affect COX-1. Drug-development work includes novel analgesic and anti-inflammatory compounds, while clinical-safety research addresses cross-reactivity among COX-2 inhibitors in patients hypersensitive to NSAIDs. Beyond analgesia, prostaglandin signaling is implicated in tumorigenesis, and studies consider the role of NSAIDs and COX inhibition in colorectal cancer prevention, alongside broader investigation of inflammatory transcriptional pathways. COX inhibitors are used for pain and inflammation in conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The topic thus links enzyme biochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical risk-benefit considerations.

Research published in this journal

6 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 6 articles above have been cited 14 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on COX Inhibitors, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in International Journal of Anesthesia.

Journal editorial board
John Bebawy · United States Pradipta Bhakta · Ireland Mainul Haque · United Kingdom

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.