Home > Encyclopedia of Cancer > Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Definition

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain and inflammation.

Purpose

NSAIDs often are used to relieve mild to moderate pain for all types of cancer.

Description

This class of drugs eases discomfort by blocking the pathway of an enzyme that creates prostaglandins (hormones that cause pain and swelling). By doing so, the drugs lessen the pain in different parts of the body.

Some of the NSAIDs used in cancer treatment include: ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Rufen, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Naprelan, Anaprox, Aleve), nabumetone (Relafen), ketorolac, sulindac and diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren). The class of drugs known as Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors that emerged in the...