Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used therapeutic agents. With the introduction of the selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, the use of this category of medications has expanded; however, the appropriate place for these agents in the therapeutic armamentarium is yet to be defined. Selective COX-2 inhibitors are effective in treating both acute a...

Metastatic pancreatic cancer is a rapidly fatal disease with few therapeutic options. The authors summarize four abstracts (#148, #233, #158, #291) presented at the 2013 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium which were focused on novel agents for metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Muscará, Marcelo N., and John L. Wallace. Nitric Oxide. V. Therapeutic potential of nitric oxide donors and inhibitors. Am. J. Physiol. 276 (Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 39): G1313–G1316, 1999.—Nitric oxide is a crucial mediator of gastrointestinal mucosal defense, but, paradoxically, it also contributes to mucosal injury in several situations. Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthesis and compounds...

Muscará, Marcelo N., and John L. Wallace. Nitric Oxide. V. Therapeutic potential of nitric oxide donors and inhibitors. Am. J. Physiol. 276 (Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 39): G1313–G1316, 1999.—Nitric oxide is a crucial mediator of gastrointestinal mucosal defense, but, paradoxically, it also contributes to mucosal injury in several situations. Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthesis and compounds...

The functional gastrointestinal diseases (FGIDs) are often noticed disturbances. Functional dyspepsia (FD) is the most frequent FGID of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract while irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) occurs in the lower gastrointestinal part. Both clinical entities are characterized by rich symptomatology and the pattern of the diagnostic guidelines. Recognition and the classi...

OBJECTIVES Whilst all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause adverse gastrointestinal events, COX-2-selective inhibitors (COX-2) may have improved gastrointestinal safety compared with non-selective NSAIDs (NSNSAIDs). In 2001, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) published guidance on the use of the COX-2 agents celecoxib, rofecoxib, meloxicam and etodolac for...