Table 4.

Effect of some commonly used drugs on wound healing

Class and name of drug	Effects
NSAIDs Ibuprofen	Affects inflammatory phase by inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase production; reduces tensile strength of wound
Colchicine	Affects inflammatory phase; affects proliferative phase by decreasing fibroblast proliferation; affects remodelling phase by degrading newly formed extracellular matrix
Corticosteroids (prednisolone)	Affects haemostatic phase by decreasing platelet adhesion; affects inflammatory phase by affecting phagocytosis; affects remodelling phase by reducing fibroblasts activity and inhibiting collagen synthesis
Antiplatelets (aspirin)	Affects haemostatic phase by inhibiting platelet aggregation; inhibits inflammation mediated by arachidonic acid metabolites
Anticoagulants Heparin	Affects haemostatic phase by its effect on fibrin formation; can lead to thrombus formation by causing thrombocytopaenia (white clot syndrome)
Warfarin	Affects haemostatic phase by its effect on fibrin formation; can cause tissue necrosis and gangrene by release of atheromatous plaque emboli in form of microcholesterol crystals (blue toe syndrome)
Vasoconstrictors (nicotine, cocaine, adrenaline)	Affects proliferative phase by inhibiting neovascularisation and decreasing granulation tissue formation; impairs microcirculation and increases graft rejection and ulcer necrosis

NSAID = non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.