Introduction
Anti-inflammatory drugs are drugs that are intended to suppress an inflammation of the body. They are therefore always used when an inflammatory reaction takes place in the body and this reaction should be suppressed. Inflammatory reactions take place in many diseases, such as allergies, rheumatoid arthritis or bronchitis.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are also known as anti-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory drugs. A distinction is generally made between steroidal, non-steroidal and herbal anti-inflammatory drugs. The best known and are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the so-called NSAIDs.
These are also generally the most commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs. The most important representatives of this group are Aspirin®, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and the coxibe. Examples of the group of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are dexamethasone or prednisolone.
The oil from the arnica plant, for example, is a well-known herbal anti-inflammatory drug. In principle, steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be administered as tablets, intravenously via the vein, inhaled as an aerosol, as a cream, or injected into a joint. The type of dosage form and the dosage depends on the disease to be treated and the pharmacological properties of the active ingredient.
Steroids are used in almost all areas of medicine. Among others, steroids are used in rheumatology, pneumology (lung medicine), dermatology (skin medicine), hematology-oncology, neurology (neurology), infectiology, ophthalmology, gastroenterology and nephrology. For example, 50 mg of prednisolone is taken as a tablet during an attack of rheumatoid arthritis.
If only local therapy is desired, the administration of 10-40 mg triamcinolone directly into the joint with an injection is indicated. In addition, steroids are also used as a substitution therapy to ensure a sufficient level of steroids in the body in cases of adrenal insufficiency, i.e. when the adrenal gland is no longer able to produce sufficient amounts of the body’s own hormone cortisol. Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work in different ways.
First, they bind to the body’s own glucocorticoid receptors. In this way, they intervene in the regulation of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory proteins, whereby they finally inhibit the so-called cyclooxygenase type II, just like the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This in turn leads to a reduction in inflammation, fever, swelling and pain.
Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a number of interactions that must be taken into account. In the case of prednisolone, the effect can be enhanced by estrogens such as those contained in the “pill”. On the other hand, drugs such as the antibiotic rifampicin can weaken the effect.
It is also known that steroids or prednisolone can influence the mode of action and side effects of other drugs. For example, the simultaneous use of steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs leads to a higher number of stomach and intestinal ulcers. Therefore, special attention should be paid to newly occurring stomach pain.
The blood sugar-lowering effect of antidiabetics, on the other hand, is reduced by the simultaneous intake of steroids. Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have very few absolute contraindications. Only in the case of hypersensitivity to the active substance or its other ingredients should steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs not be taken.
However, there are a number of precautions that must be taken when treating with a steroidal anti-inflammatory. Since this group of anti-inflammatory drugs causes a downregulation of the immune system, an anti-infective therapy may have to be carried out concomitantly. This is the case, for example, for a concurrent acute infection with herpes zoster.
In addition, the anti-inflammatory effect can make the laboratory chemical diagnosis of an infection more difficult. Monitoring is also advisable in the case of previous illnesses such as high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus. In principle, therapy with a steroidal anti-inflammatory drug should always be adequately monitored by a physician.
Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a large number of side effects. Side effects may include weight gain, edema formation and diabetes mellitus. In addition, stomach and intestinal complaints can occur, especially in the form of stomach ulcers.
The blood count can also change after prolonged use of steroids, resulting in an increase in leukocytes in particular. The eyes can also be affected by the side effects. When steroids are taken, cataracts and glaucoma can occur.In addition, the psyche can be impaired, since depression is known to be a side effect.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be given as tablets, intravenously through the vein or as cream. In principle, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat pain and inflammation. Here too, the type of administration and dosage depends on the disease to be treated.
In the case of a contusion of a body part, for example, a local application of ointment with diclofenac (Voltaren®) is performed. In the case of ankylosing spondylitis, for example, 800mg of ibuprofen can be taken three times a day. This type of anti-inflammatory drug is most widespread in the population, for example in the treatment of headaches or even joint pain.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandin by inhibiting the so-called cyclooxygenase type I and II. Prostaglandins belong to the group of tissue hormones and normally promote the development of inflammation or the increase of fever. If the production of these hormones is now inhibited, there is a decrease in inflammation, fever, swelling and pain.
In addition, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit platelet aggregation, which affects blood clotting and is used in the treatment of coronary heart disease, among other things. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cause a variety of interactions that must be taken into account. It is known that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also influence the mode of action and side effects of other drugs.
For example, the simultaneous use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids leads to a higher number of stomach and intestinal ulcers. In addition, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can weaken the effect of diuretics (drainage drugs) and antihypertensives (drugs to lower blood pressure). In addition, the simultaneous intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and alcohol is not recommended, as this can lead to an increase in side effects.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in particular have a large number of contraindications to be considered. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should not be taken in cases of hypersensitivity to the drug group. If an asthma attack or shortness of breath occurred while taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, then this group of drugs should not be taken.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs must not be used in cases of existing gastric and intestinal bleeding or in cases of recurrent gastritis and peptic ulcers. If treatment with this group of drugs should be necessary after all, one should additionally take a drug to inhibit gastric acid in order to protect the mucous membrane. These drugs are called proton pump inhibitors (for example omeprazole or pantoprazole).
Likewise, a blood clotting disorder is a contraindication for taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory type must not be taken for heart diseases such as severe heart failure or coronary heart disease. They must also not be used for other serious organ defects such as severe liver or kidney defects.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a variety of side effects that may vary depending on the dose and the patient. The most common side effects are those of the gastrointestinal tract. These may mainly involve stomach ulcers, which can lead to perforation of the stomach and bleeding.
In addition, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, constipation and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the stomach are frequent. Side effects also occur in the area of the cardiovascular system. Oedema, high blood pressure and cardiac insufficiency often occur when taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Another important side effect is the increased occurrence of heart attacks and strokes. There are a large number of herbal anti-inflammatory drugs that have to be administered and dosed in different ways. Arnica, for example, is a well-known herbal anti-inflammatory drug that is often administered in ointment form.
Here, the arnica ointment is rubbed in once or twice a day. No special mechanism of action is known about the herbal anti-inflammatory arnica. This does not apply however to all vegetable inflammation inhibitors, but is different with each vegetable contents material.
Presumably arnica, whereby the plant ingredient helenalin plays an important role, works by inhibiting so-called cytokines. Cytokines are also tissue hormones that normally promote inflammation in the body.No interactions are known about the herbal anti-inflammatory drug Arnica. This does not apply however generally to all vegetable inflammation inhibitors, but is different with each vegetable contents material and should be therefore always reread.
A well-known classical vegetable Antiinflammatorikum is for example the Arnikapflanze. This vegetable anti-inflammatory may not be taken in any case with a hypersensitivity to this active substance. If for example a hypersensitivity to chamomile blooms or peanut oil exists, then Arnika may not be administered likewise.
Furthermore, arnica preparations should not be used on damaged skin. Furthermore, arnica should not be used in children under one year of age. A few side effects are known about the herbal anti-inflammatory drug arnica.
However, these do not apply to all herbal anti-inflammatory drugs, but are again different for each herbal ingredient. With a hypersensitivity to Arnika or peanut oil allergic skin reactions can occur. If skin reddening, itching or swelling occurs, the administration of arnica should be stopped and a doctor consulted.
