COX-2 inhibitors are a class of drugs that selectively inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). This enzyme is responsible for the production of prostaglandins, which play a key role in inflammation and pain. Unlike traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2, COX-2 inhibitors specifically target COX-2, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.
