Anti-inflammatory agents
Anti-inflammatory agents
Anti-inflammatory agents (pronunciation: an-tee-in-flam-ma-tory ay-gents) are a type of medication or substance that reduces inflammation or swelling in the body.
Etymology
The term "anti-inflammatory" is derived from the Latin words "anti" meaning against, and "inflammare" meaning to set on fire. This refers to the agents' ability to counteract the inflammatory process in the body.
Types of Anti-inflammatory agents
There are two main types of anti-inflammatory agents: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids (steroids).
- NSAIDs - These are drugs that provide analgesic (pain-killing) and antipyretic (fever-reducing) effects, and, in higher doses, anti-inflammatory effects. Examples include ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.
- Steroids - These are a type of anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat a wide range of conditions. They're different from anabolic steroids, which are often used illegally by some people to increase their muscle mass.
Mechanism of Action
Anti-inflammatory agents work by blocking the effects of certain chemicals in your body that cause inflammation. They do this by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, substances that the body produces in response to injury and certain diseases and conditions, and that cause inflammation, pain, and fever.
Related Terms
- Inflammation - A process by which the body's white blood cells and substances they produce protect us from infection with foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses.
- Prostaglandins - A group of lipids made at sites of tissue damage or infection that are involved in dealing with injury and illness.
- NSAIDs - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a drug class that groups together drugs that provide analgesic and antipyretic effects, and, in higher doses, anti-inflammatory effects.
- Steroids - A type of anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat a wide range of conditions.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Anti-inflammatory agents
- Wikipedia's article - Anti-inflammatory agents
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