Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a narrative review

Abstract

The search for new, more effective and safer, anti-inflammatory drugs is stimulated by the market interest of the
global pharmaceutical industry. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are agents that act by inhibiting
cyclooxygenases (COXs) and, in addition to their anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities, they have
several pharmacological activities described in the literature. This article aims to carry out a narrative review on
the uses and potential uses of NSAIDs. We searched for studies present in the Pubmed, Scielo and LILACS and
selected those were according to the theme and objective of this study. Studies show the use of NSAIDs as
analgesic and in the osteoarthritis treatment and aspirin as an antiplatelet agent. NSAIDs also have the potential
to be used as an inhibitor of uterine contraction and in the treatment of cancer and some neurodegenerative
diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders. The expectation is that, in the future, new NSAIDs will be developed
due to the clinical potential of these drugs, which represent a promising area for the pharmaceutical industry,
making it necessary to invest in research that aims to minimize side effects and optimize the effectiveness of these
drugs.