COX-2–Selective NSAIDs

Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is among the most common serious adverse drug events in the industrialized world. Gastroduodenal ulcers can be demonstrated by endoscopy in 10% to 20% of patients who take NSAIDs on a regular basis, and the annual incidence of clinically important GI complications approaches 2%.1 The impact of NSAIDs on public health is significant and has provided the impetus to search for safer but equally effective anti-inflammatory agents.