Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (
NSAIDs) are widely used in the treatment of controlling inflammatory process and relief of
pain in upper airways disorders, due to their inhibition of the
cyclooxygenase (COX). After classical
NSAIDs different adverse effects are observed, which limit their usage in many patients. The beginning of the nineties gave the evidences, that two
cyclooxygenase isoforms existed: COX-1 and COX-2. The blockage of COX-1 in consequence cause the adverse effects of
NSAIDs. And COX-2 is responsible for the most inflammatory symptoms, such as
pain, oedema,
fever, increase of vessel permeability. So the selective inhibitors of COX-2 would be much more safe drugs, comparing with the classical
NSAIDs in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Nimesulide belongs to the new generation of
NSAIDs. It not only inhibits more selectively the activity of COX-2, but has also some other properties, that increase its antiinflammatory and
analgesic function. Effectiveness of
nimesulide has been demonstrated by numerous clinical studies in various inflammatory diseases of upper airways. Its anti-inflammatory,
analgesic and
antipyretic efficacy has been at least comparable with classical
NSAIDs, but the adverse effects of
nimesulide have been milder and less frequent. So all those facts suggest, that
nimesulide should be taken into account in the treatment of the inflammatory diseases of the ear, nose and throat.