2 inhibitor

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Hi

Here is some information on 2 inhibitors I thought I would pass. Hope it

helps.

During the 1998 American College of Rheumatology Scientific Meetings,

researchers presented information regarding Celebrex (celecoxib). The report

concluded that Searle and Pfizer's investigational drug Celebrex relieved

arthritis pain as well as full therapeutic doses of commonly prescribed

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) pain relievers. Merck was also

working on the development of a similar drug, Vioxx (rofecoxib). Celebrex and

Vioxx both belong to a class of compounds called COX-2 inhibitors.

COX is short for cyclo-oxygenase, an enzyme involved in the cascade of

cellular events that eventually produce inflammation. As it turns out, there

are two forms of the enzyme, COX-1 and COX-2. NSAIDs inhibit both enzymes,

which is unfortunate, since COX-1 has another job. It produces prostaglandin

a substance that's critical in the production of a type of mucus that lines

and protects the stomach and intestines. It's the NSAIDs' inhibition of COX-1

that's the cause of their unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects, including

heartburn, ulcers, and bleeding.

COX-2 inhibitors leave COX-1 alone, thus decreasing gastrointestinal side

effects while providing the same analgesic effects as NSAIDs.

On December 31, 1998 the FDA approved Celebrex for relief of the signs and

symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) and adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Vioxx

followed and received approval in May of 1999 for the treatment of

osteoarthritis, menstrual pain and for the management of acute pain in

adults.