Types of Anti Inflammatories

Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to battle inflammation of areas affected by harmful stimuli in the body, such as pathogens or injury. When that harmful stimulation occurs, the body creates inflammation, characterized by redness and swelling, in the affected area. Taking anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce inflammation as well as the pain and cell damage that comes with it. There are several types of anti-inflammatory drugs people can use to treat inflammation.

Glucocorticoids

• Steroids, specifically those in a class called glucocorticoids, are often used to suppress the inflammatory process. Some are naturally produced in the body, but those administered as an anti-inflammatory are synthetic. Glucocorticoids are uniquely shaped, which allow them to pass through the cell wall and enter the nucleus, enhancing the production of certain proteins and inhibiting the production of others, achieving the overall effect of reducing or suppressing inflammation. Some examples of well-known glucocorticoids include prednisone, dexamethasone and hydrocortisone.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (often abbreviated to NSAIDs), are anti-inflammatories that prevent the production of prostaglandins, which are a family of chemicals produced by the body to promote inflammation, among other things. The body produces cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes which promote the production of specific prostaglandins. NSAIDs block the production of certain COX enzymes which retard prostaglandin production, reducing inflammation. Some common NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.

Immune Selective Anti-Inflammatory Derivatives

• Immune-selective anti-inflammatory derivatives (abbreviated to imSAIDs) are relatively new in medicine, and are biologically derived molecules that act to suppress the inflammatory response in a way different than NSAIDs and glucocorticoids. The activation of white blood cells (granulocytes, in particular) releases a number of chemicals that increase the body's inflammatory response to negative stimulus. imSAIDs inhibit the activation of these cells in a way that does not compromise the immune system but prevents the release of chemicals that kickstart and amplify the inflammatory process.

Herbal Extracts

• In addition to typical synthetic and human-produced anti-inflammatory drugs, several herbal extracts have been found to reduce inflammation. The most well-known is an extract from willow bark called acetylsalicylic acid, which most know as aspirin. Herbal extracts with relatively high anti-inflammatory action include oils from avocado soybean fraction and harpagophytum extract (called harpagoside). Moderate anti-inflammatory action has been found in ginger and a rose hip and seed powder.

Anti-inflammatory Side Effects

• Side effects with glucocorticoids generally stem from long-term use and abuse, and include a weakened immune system and osteoporosis. Some glucocorticoids may cause vomiting, confusion, joint pain, an upset stomach and drowsiness. Sometimes, severe side effects may appear, including glaucoma, diabetes, ulcer formation and stunted growth. Side effects of NSAIDs include stomach pain, ulcers and bleeding, thanks to the inhibition of prostaglandins that promote blood clotting. Prolonged use of NSAIDs can lead to potentially life-threatening organ failures and prolonged bleeding after surgeries. Because they are still being studied and are not yet in use in humans, research on the side effects of imSAIDs are not fully known or understood.