COX Inhibitor, COX 2 Inhibitor Treatment Blocks Cyclooxygenase Enzyme Action

COX is an abbreviation for cyclooxygenase, an enzyme found throughout your body. It acts as a catalyst for pain and inflammation causing prostaglandins, as well as blood clotting and blood vessel constricting thromboxanes.

There are two forms of cyclooxygenase, known as COX 1 and COX 2. COX 1 is normally found in a variety of tissues and plays a vital role in activating platelets that clots blood and the production of mucus for protecting your stomach and intestinal lining. Whereas, COX 2 is mainly active at sites of inflammation. These differing actions are important when it comes to COX inhibitor treatment.

A COX inhibitor offers relief from inflammation and pain because they block cyclooxygenase enzyme action. NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, are COX inhibiting drugs many use for anti-inflammatory and pain relief treatment.

However, because NSAIDs inhibit all forms of cyclooxygenase, use of this COX inhibitor treatment can have detrimental health effects, particularly:

Digestive issues arise because when COX 1 enzyme is inhibited your digestive system is not protected against the acids produced to breakdown food. And for reducing pain and inflammation, blocking the enzyme action of COX 2 is actually the treatment goal.

COX 2 inhibitors are drugs designed to selectively block cyclooxygenase 2 enzyme action, which are markedly beneficial if you suffer from joint problems. This type of drug may be used to treat:

Unfortunately, COX 2 inhibitor has been shown to increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Therefore, their use is usually limited to those at a high risk of the previously stated health problems associated with NSAIDs. And currently, Celecoxib is the only COX 2 inhibitor available in the US.

As with most drugs, Cox 2 inhibitor treatment may cause drug side effects, most commonly:

More serious side effects and a drug allergy are possible consequences of blocking cycloxygenase 2 enzyme action as well.