When to use NSAIDs?

  NSAIDs are a class of anti-inflammatory drugs that do not contain steroidal structures. NSAIDs have been marketed for more than 100 years since aspirin was first synthesized in 1898, and more than a hundred kinds of thousands of brands have been marketed for more than 100 years. These drugs include aspirin, acetaminophen, indomethacin, naproxen, naprophenone, diclofenac, ibuprofen, nimesulide, rofecoxib, celecoxib, etc. This class of drugs has anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, analgesic, antipyretic and anticoagulant effects, which are widely used in clinical practice for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, a variety of fever and the relief of various pain symptoms.  1.Antipyretic effect NSAIDs play an antipyretic role by inhibiting the synthesis of central prostaglandins, and these drugs can only make the body temperature of feverish people drop, but have no effect on normal body temperature. The antipyretic drugs are only symptomatic treatment, and the body temperature will rise again after the elimination of drugs in the body, so the fever patients should focus on the etiology of treatment, and only use when high fever.  2.Analgesic effect NSAIDs produce moderate analgesic effect, and the site of analgesic effect is mainly in the periphery. It is not effective for severe pain caused by various traumas and visceral smooth muscle colic. It has better effect on chronic pain such as headache, joint and muscle pain and toothache. In case of tissue injury or inflammation, local production and release of nociceptive substances are accompanied by increased synthesis of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins increase the sensitivity of nociceptive receptors to pain-causing substances and play an amplifying role in inflammatory pain. Meanwhile PGE1, PGE2 and PGF2α are nociceptive substances and cause pain.  The analgesic mechanism of NSAIDs is: ① inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins; ② inhibit the lymphocyte activity and the differentiation of activated T lymphocytes to reduce the stimulation of afferent nerve endings; ③ act directly on the injurious receptors to prevent the formation and release of pain-causing substances.  3.Anti-inflammatory effects Most NSAIDs have anti-inflammatory effects. NSAIDs exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, inhibiting the aggregation of leukocytes, reducing the formation of bradykinin and inhibiting the agglutination of platelets. They are effective in controlling the symptoms of rheumatic and rheumatoid arthritis.