NSAIDS/COXIBS for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain secondary to hemophilic arthropathy.

INTRODUCTION

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors (COXIBS) are considered a suitable option for the treatment of hemophilic arthropathy.

AREAS COVERED: The role of traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; (NSAIDS) and COXIBS in people with hemophilia (PWH) and in the non-hemophiliac population has been reviewed in order to know which of them is more advisable in PWH and whether they should be used as the first or second therapeutic step for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain (since there is a discrepancy between what is advised by the WFH and the WHO).

EXPERT OPINION: For the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain related to hemophilic arthropathy, it is reasonable to use as a first step a combination of oral paracetamol (650 mg per every 6 h) or metamizole (575 mg per every 6 h), one of the COXIBS (e.g. celecoxib 200 mg per once a day) and a proton pump inhibitor (e.g. omeprazole 20 mg per once a day). The possible side effects of COXIBS should never be forgotten. For the treatment of hemophilic arthropathy pain, the risk/benefit ratio of COXIBS should be carefully assessed on an individual basis, although they are more advisable than traditional NSAIDS.