Anti-inflammatory Medication

Inflammation is a response of the immune system to fight off infections, irritants and damaged cells from affecting any other cells. Inflammation is the process that triggers the healing process. However, the symptoms of inflammation can flare and cause problems in an individual. To reduce the effects of these inflammatory responses, anti-inflammatory medication is prescribed. There are various other autoimmune diseases that cause severe inflammatory responses.

Mechanism of Action

Inflammation is caused by the release of certain chemicals such as histamines, bradykinin, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, platelet activating factor and interleukin -1. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as antihistamines in some way inhibit the synthesis or release of these chemicals by inhibiting a particular reaction in the biochemical pathway. For example, aspirin like drugs inhibit an enzyme called cyclo-oxygenase that is involved in the synthesis of prostanoids, thus acting against inflammation. Thus, there are various other medications which act to inhibit or subside the effects of inflammation.

Types of Anti-inflammatory Medications

These are broadly classified into 4 categories.

• Steroids
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)
• Immune Selective Anti-Inflammatory Derivatives (ImSAID)
• Herbs

Steroids
These drugs are also called corticosteroids as most of these steroidal drugs belong to the glucocorticoid family. The following are steroidal drugs used for inflammation.

• Prednisone - It blocks allergic reactions and reduces the symptoms of itching, swelling and redness of skin
• Dexamethasone - It stimulates the synthesis of certain enzymes that reduce inflammation.
• Hydrocortisone - These are glucocorticoids used to suppress immune system

These are often prescribed for a short time, as steroid side effects are quite adverse.

NSAID
These are analgesic and anti pyretic drugs, which when used in a higher dose act as anti-inflammatory. They have an eicosanoid depressing mechanism.

• Aspirin - It inhibits the cyclo-oxygenase enzyme and blocks the synthesis of prostanoids.
• Ibuprofen - This drug also inhibits cyclo oxygenase and therefore an inflammatory response.
• Naproxen - This drug too has a similar mechanism and is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis as well. This drug is available over the counter along with ibuprofen and aspirin.

This group is further classified into various categories which is beyond the scope of this article.

ImSAID
This is a class of drugs was developed by IMULAN Biotherapeutics. They are peptides which modify the activation of inflammatory cells. A few of these peptides that are discovered are,

• Sub-mandibular gland peptide - T (SGP-T) which regulates immune responses on exposure to an endotoxin.
• Phenylalanine - glutamine - glycine peptide (FEG) it inhibits cell receptors and regulates the leukocytes and prevents tissue infiltration. It also decreases neutrophils and eosinophil in an immune response.

These drugs are for now being used in treatment of feline and canine health problems related to inflammation.

Herbs
Many herbs are used as anti-inflammatory agents. They contain active substances that suppress immune responses.

• Arnica Montana - This contains an active immune suppressing agent known as helenalin that acts against inflammation.
• Willow bark - This is said to have salicylic acid that acts in a similar way as aspirin.

There are various other herbs such as turmeric, ginger and now cannabis that have shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

These were some of the medications that are currently used in treatment of inflammation. These medicines also have side effects which you must be aware of before taking them. There are various anti-inflammatory diets that you can follow to treat inflammation. Hope this article has satisfied your queries regarding this topic.