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Figure 1 Action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Arachidonic acid, liberated from membrane phospholipids in response to multiple stimuli, is converted to prostaglandin H2 by cytosolic prostaglandin G/H synthases (cyclooxygenase [COX]-1 and -2). Prostaglandin H2 is converted by tissue-specific isomerases to multiple prostanoids. Aspirin and other nonselective nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NANSAID) inhibit both COX-1 and -2, whereas coxibs selectively inhibit COX-2.
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