Anti-inflammatory refers to any drug, substance or mechanism that reducesinflammation by lessening the redness,swelling,fever, or pain and loss of function which are part of bodies inflammatory response. Anti-inflammatorydrugs are agents that inhibit action or production of inflammatory mediators such ascytokines,histamines andprostaglandins. These drugs reduce pain by inhibiting mechanisms of inflammation, as opposed toopioids, which affect thecentral nervous system to block pain.[not verified in body]
The risk of death as a result of GI bleeding caused by the use of NSAIDs is 1 in 12,000 for adults aged 16–45.[5] The risk increases almost twentyfold for those over 75.[5] Apart from aspirin, frequent or high doses of prescription and over-the-counter NSAIDs may increase the risk ofheart attack andstroke.[6]
Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory agent that disrupts the function of cytoskeletal by inhibitingmicrotubule polymerization, doing so prevents the activation, degranulation and migration ofneutrophils.[14] Colchicine is mostly used in treatment of acutegout. It can also be used for treatingfamilial Mediterranean fever andpericarditis.[15]
Omega-3 fatty acids may have anti-inflammatory effects, although clinical studies show that possible effects have been inconsistent, requiring further research.[16] A 2017 review indicated that omega-3 fatty acids may benefitrheumatoid arthritis,[17] although another analysis indicated no consistent effect.[16] There is no good evidence that use of omega-3 fatty acids provides relief inretinal inflammation or indry eye syndrome.[16]
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) has been found to possess anti-inflammatory effects and has been clinically studied in the treatment of conditions involving inflammation.[18]
A 2021 review reported thatmelatonin has anti-inflammatory effects.[19] Found to reduce levels of severalpro-inflammatorycytokines, it remains under preliminary research for its potential to treat inflammation.[19]
Serotonin5-HT2A receptoragonists, includingserotonergic psychedelics, are under preliminary research as possible anti-inflammatory agents.[20][21] The anti-inflammatory effects of some psychedelics, likeDOI andpsilocybin, have been found to occur at much lower doses than those at which they produce theirhallucinogenic effects.[21] Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists with anti-inflammatory properties are under clinical investigation as possible treatments forinflammatory disorders.[22]
A 2019systematic review andmeta-analysis found thatcurcumin orturmeric did not significantly decrease several circulating inflammatory markers in people with various chronic inflammatory diseases.[40] Major problems of assessing curcumin in human studies are its unknown fate and properties after digestion, and its poorbioavailability.[41][42][43]
^Knights KM, Mangoni AA, Miners JO (November 2010). "Defining the COX inhibitor selectivity of NSAIDs: implications for understanding toxicity".Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology.3 (6):769–776.doi:10.1586/ecp.10.120.PMID22111779.S2CID207209534.
^Qureshi O, Dua A (28 February 2024)."COX inhibitors". StatPearls, US National Library of Medicine. Retrieved25 May 2025.
^abGerriets V, Anderson J, Patel P, Nappe TM (11 January 2024)."Acetaminophen". StatPearls, US National Library of Medicine.PMID29493991. Retrieved25 May 2025.
^ab"Table 7".NSAIDs and adverse effects. Bandolier. Archived fromthe original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved20 December 2012.
^Ingawale DK, Mandlik SK (April 2020). "New insights into the novel anti-inflammatory mode of action of glucocorticoids".Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology.42 (2):59–73.doi:10.1080/08923973.2020.1728765.PMID32070175.
^Scott JP, Peters-Golden M (September 2013). "Antileukotriene agents for the treatment of lung disease".American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.188 (5):538–544.doi:10.1164/rccm.201301-0023PP.PMID23822826.
^Niwas H, Bansal P, Pentela B, Mazumder A (October 2025). "The Spectrum of Allergic Rhinitis: Risk Factors and their Clinical Relevance".Recent Advances in Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery.19.doi:10.2174/0127722708397912251001102439.PMID41126418.
^Yoo SM, Chung SH (April 2019). "Targets of monoclonal antibodies for immunological diseases".Archives of Pharmacal Research.42 (4):293–304.doi:10.1007/s12272-018-1087-2.PMID30426387.
^Shekelle PG, FitzGerald J, Newberry SJ, Motala A, O'Hanlon CE, Okunogbe A, et al. (March 2016)."Methods".Management of Gout [Internet]. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US). Retrieved4 November 2025.
^"Clinical Review".Colchicine (Myinfla): CADTH Reimbursement Review: Therapeutic area: Atherothrombotic events in coronary artery disease [Internet]. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. April 2022. Retrieved4 November 2025.
^Calder PC (October 2017). "Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man".Biochemical Society Transactions.45 (5):1105–1115.doi:10.1042/BST20160474.PMID28900017.
^Nichols DE, Johnson MW, Nichols CD (February 2017). "Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm".Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.101 (2):209–219.doi:10.1002/cpt.557.PMID28019026.
^Kozlowska U, Nichols C, Wiatr K, Figiel M (July 2022). "From psychiatry to neurology: Psychedelics as prospective therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders".Journal of Neurochemistry.162 (1):89–108.doi:10.1111/jnc.15509.PMID34519052.
^Al Jumaili W, Vora D, Trivedi C, Jain S (September 2023). "Role of Minocycline as an Adjunct Neuroinflammatory Modulator in Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials".The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders.25 (5).doi:10.4088/PCC.22r03467.PMID37713730.Results: Minocycline as an adjunct immunomodulator shows inconsistent benefit in TRD. Minocycline has some beneficial effect on depression scale scores and inflammatory markers in TRD patients with inflammatory disequilibrium (C-reactive protein elevation exceeds 3 mg/L). However, minocycline showed an inconclusive effect in TRD with no clear immunologic dysregulation.
^Hiles SA, McDonald VM, Guilhermino M, Brusselle GG, Gibson PG (November 2019). "Does maintenance azithromycin reduce asthma exacerbations? An individual participant data meta-analysis".The European Respiratory Journal.54 (5).doi:10.1183/13993003.01381-2019.hdl:1765/122222.PMID31515407.
^Mackay AJ, Hurst JR (July 2012). "COPD exacerbations: causes, prevention, and treatment".The Medical Clinics of North America.96 (4):789–809.doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2012.02.008.PMID22793945.
^Parnham MJ, Erakovic Haber V, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Perletti G, Verleden GM, Vos R (August 2014). "Azithromycin: mechanisms of action and their relevance for clinical applications".Pharmacology & Therapeutics.143 (2):225–245.doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.03.003.PMID24631273.
^Hirsch R, Deng H, Laohachai MN (April 2012). "Azithromycin in periodontal treatment: more than an antibiotic".Journal of Periodontal Research.47 (2):137–148.doi:10.1111/j.1600-0765.2011.01418.x.PMID22050485.
^Li GM, Zhao J, Li B, Zhang XF, Ma JX, Ma XL, et al. (March 2018). "The anti-inflammatory effects of statins on patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A systemic review and meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials".Autoimmunity Reviews.17 (3):215–225.doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2017.10.013.PMID29353098.
^Bai S, Guo W, Feng Y, Deng H, Li G, Nie H, et al. (January 2020). "Efficacy and safety of anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials".Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry.91 (1):21–32.doi:10.1136/jnnp-2019-320912.PMID31658959.
^Köhler-Forsberg O, Otte C, Gold SM, Østergaard SD (November 2020). "Statins in the treatment of depression: Hype or hope?".Pharmacology & Therapeutics.215 107625.doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107625.PMID32652185.
^White CM, Pasupuleti V, Roman YM, Li Y, Hernandez AV (August 2019). "Oral turmeric/curcumin effects on inflammatory markers in chronic inflammatory diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials".Pharmacological Research.146 104280.doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104280.PMID31121255.
^Liu W, Zhai Y, Heng X, Che FY, Chen W, Sun D, et al. (September 2016). "Oral bioavailability of curcumin: problems and advancements".Journal of Drug Targeting.24 (8):694–702.doi:10.3109/1061186X.2016.1157883.PMID26942997.
