Lecture 28 : Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (bin off)

Question 1

What are NSAIDs

Answer 1

Non steroid anti inflammatory drugs

Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol

Question 2

How can NSAIDs reduce prostaglandin synthesis

Answer 2

Inflammation -> activates phospholipase

Phospholipase converts phospholipids in membrane -> Arachidonic acid

Arachidonic acid -> Prostaglandins, catalysed by CYCLOOXYGENASE

Prostaglandins make nerve endings more sensitive and increase pain and cause fever

NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits, iburpofen reversibly inhibits, paracetamol reversibly non-competitively inhibits

Question 3

3 effects of NSAIDs

Answer 3

1. Analgesia
2. PG inhibition
3. Anti-pryetic

Pyrogens released by macrophases cause PG release in hypothalamus. Anti-pryetic nature of NSAIDs prevent this, thus prevent fever