Navigating the Joints: Pharmacokinetics of NSAIDs in Arthritis Therapy

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are the most commonly used drugs all over the world as a remedy for various diseases such as pain reduction, inflammation and temperature control as well. In arthritis therapy, these drugs play an essential role by acting as anti-inflammatories, painkillers, and joint stiffness reducers. For the effective and best use of these drugs, it is essential to get a complete understanding of the drug's nature, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and adverse events. The understanding of how a drug absorbs, distributes, metabolized and is excreted from the body is very crucial for safe treatment and allows the drug to reach the specific site of action and perform its desired action. The problem in any of the pharmacokinetics (ADME) step of these drugs result in the failure of drug action. In case of arthritis, it cannot reach the desired site of action, such as in the inflamed tissues of joints and many adverse effects can happen, for example, gastrointestinal and renal problems. For the prevention of adverse events and to get desired therapeutic effects like optimal joint relief with less toxicity. The checks and balances on the accurate dosage and right drug selection are vital, which depend on various other factors like age of the patient, comorbidities and drug half-life. This chapter highlights the importance and the way of action of NSAIDs in the human body to get relief from arthritis symptoms.