Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs: A Review

Abstract
The increasing use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in small animals has resulted in the development of new and innovative additions to this class of drugs. Examples of NSAIDs now available for use in small animals include aspirin, etodolac, carprofen, ketoprofen, meloxicam, deracoxib, and tepoxalin. The purposes of this article are to review the pathophysiology of prostaglandin synthesis and inhibition, the mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological effects, and potential adverse reactions of aspirin and the newly released NSAIDs.