COX-2 inhibitor
noun
: any of a class of drugs used to treat the pain and inflammation of arthritis by selectively blocking the variant of cyclooxygenase causing these symptoms
Examples of COX-2 inhibitor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Celebrex is a selective COX-2 inhibitor that targets inflammation with fewer gastrointestinal side effects, whereas ibuprofen is a nonselective NSAID that inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.
—
T'keyah Bazin, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
T'keyah Bazin, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“COX-2 inhibitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/COX-2%20inhibitor. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
COX-2 inhibitor
noun
variants
also COX-2 blocker
: any of a class of drugs (as celecoxib) that are NSAIDs which selectively block the isoform COX-2 but not the isoform COX-1 of cyclooxygenase and are used chiefly to relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis while minimizing gastrointestinal side effects
COX-2 inhibitors, as their name implies, were designed to block just the inflammatory functions of the COX-2 enzyme, leaving the stomach-protecting functions of the COX-1 form intact.—Alice Park, Time
Alice Park, TimeLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share