Which NSAID is a COX-2 selective inhibitor?

Which NSAID is a COX-2 selective inhibitor?

• A. Aspirin
• B. Ibuprofen
• C. Celecoxib
• D. Naproxen

Answer: (C)

COX-2 selective NSAIDs block the COX-2 enzyme specifically, which drives inflammation, while sparing COX-1 that protects the stomach and supports normal platelet function. Celecoxib is the drug designed to target that COX-2 pocket, giving anti-inflammatory effects with relatively less gastric irritation. The other commonly used NSAIDs inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 to varying degrees, so they don’t provide true COX-2 selectivity; aspirin, for example, inhibits COX enzymes and has a strong platelet effect largely through COX-1, while ibuprofen and naproxen are nonselective inhibitors.

COX-2 selective NSAIDs block the COX-2 enzyme specifically, which drives inflammation, while sparing COX-1 that protects the stomach and supports normal platelet function. Celecoxib is the drug designed to target that COX-2 pocket, giving anti-inflammatory effects with relatively less gastric irritation. The other commonly used NSAIDs inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 to varying degrees, so they don’t provide true COX-2 selectivity; aspirin, for example, inhibits COX enzymes and has a strong platelet effect largely through COX-1, while ibuprofen and naproxen are nonselective inhibitors.