Cox-2 inhibitors - Are they nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with a better safety profile?

In the treatment of arthritis, NSAIDs are some of the most commonly used dr ugs, although the prescription of such drugs has been questioned due to the ir inherent risks for gastrointestinal compromise, platelet effects, and th e potential for renal toxicity with long-term use. With the availability of celecoxib and rofecoxib, 2 cyclooxygenase (COX-2) inhibitors (or COX-1 spa ring agents) as new forms of NSAIDs, these issues have become magnified not only in the context of risk-to-benefit ratios but also in terms of pharmac oeconomics because they have been proven to be equally efficacious as the n onselective NSAIDs, with an improved safety profile particularly within the gastrointestinal tract, but at a significantly increased cost.