Table 2.

Classification of the Most Commonly Employed NSAIDs According to Their Inhibitory Effect on COX Isoenzymes

COX-1/COX-2 inhibitors

Salicylates (aspirin, diflunisal, salsalate)

Oxicams (piroxicam)

PAD (ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, fenprofen, flurbiprofen)

Arylacetic acids (indomethacin, etodolac, sulindac, diclofenac, tolmetin)

Fenamates (meclofenamate, mefenamic acid)

Pyrrolopyrrole (ketorolac)

Pyrazolones (phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone, feprazone, noramidopyrine)

Weak COX-1/COX-2 inhibitors

Paracetamol

Preferential COX-2 inhibitors

Nimesulide, meloxicam

Selective COX-2 inhibitors

Coxibs (eg, etoricoxib, rofecoxib, celecoxib)

COX = cyclooxygenase; NSAID = nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug;

PAD = propionic acid derivatives.