Superaspirin: This was a popular term for the next generation of analgesics. They were drugs that had the multiple positive effects of aspirin, but not have the negative effects such as intestinal bleeding. Aspirin binds and inhibits two isoforms of the enzyme Cyclooxygenase, COX-1 and COX-2. Super aspirins bind and inhibit COX-2 only. Cox-2 inhibitors (refecoxib [Vioxx - withdrawn from the market in 2004] and celecoxib [Celebrex]) and antiplatelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists reduced inflammation and pain. They were reported as better than regular aspirin in relieving arthritic pain, with fewer side effects. However, they were found to be associated with a doubling of strokes and heart attacks. Many have been pulled from the market.
