Clinical experience with cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are chronic conditions requiring long-term therapy for pain relief. Currently prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide symptomatic efficacy, but are frequently associated with gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities such as dyspepsia and ulcerations. In a small but significant number of cases, complications including perforations and massive bleeding develop and these may be fatal. A desirable therapeutic strategy would maintain efficacy while minimizing gastric intolerance. Two potential approaches have been suggested: (i) administration of NSAIDs in combination with gastroprotective compounds; or (ii) administration of potentially safer anti-inflammatory compounds which act via selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The selective COX-2 inhibitors rofecoxib and celecoxib consistently demonstrate efficacy comparable to conventional NSAIDs in patients with RA and OA, but have a significantly reduced propensity to cause GI toxicity. In many cases, the gastric effects of therapeutically active doses of COX-2 inhibitors are indistinguishable from placebo. The safety benefits of COX-2 inhibitors given alone appear similar to combined therapy with conventional NSAIDs and gastroprotective agents. Findings warrant the consideration of COX-2 inhibitors as first-line therapy in patients requiring long-term pain relief.