Which drug is a non-selective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor?

Which drug is a non-selective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor?

• A. Acetaminophen
• B. Ibuprofen
• C. Celecoxib
• D. Ketorolac

Answer: (D)

Non-selective COX inhibitors block both COX-1 and COX-2, reducing prostaglandin synthesis across constitutive and inducible pathways. This gives analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects but also raises risks related to COX-1 inhibition, like gastrointestinal issues and effects on platelet function and renal blood flow. Ketorolac is a classic non-selective COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor, used for short-term management of moderate to severe postoperative pain. Its potent analgesic effect comes from inhibiting both COX enzymes, which is why it’s viewed as the non-selective NSAID in this context. Celecoxib, by contrast, selectively inhibits COX-2, not COX-1, so it isn’t non-selective. Acetaminophen isn’t a true peripheral COX inhibitor with anti-inflammatory activity, and ibuprofen is also a non-selective COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor, though often considered less potent for severe pain than ketorolac.

Non-selective COX inhibitors block both COX-1 and COX-2, reducing prostaglandin synthesis across constitutive and inducible pathways. This gives analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects but also raises risks related to COX-1 inhibition, like gastrointestinal issues and effects on platelet function and renal blood flow.

Ketorolac is a classic non-selective COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor, used for short-term management of moderate to severe postoperative pain. Its potent analgesic effect comes from inhibiting both COX enzymes, which is why it’s viewed as the non-selective NSAID in this context. Celecoxib, by contrast, selectively inhibits COX-2, not COX-1, so it isn’t non-selective. Acetaminophen isn’t a true peripheral COX inhibitor with anti-inflammatory activity, and ibuprofen is also a non-selective COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor, though often considered less potent for severe pain than ketorolac.