ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

COX-2 selective inhibitor

When you get a headache or a fever, your body makes something called "prostaglandins" that can help your body fight off infections and make you feel better.

But sometimes, your body makes too many prostaglandins, which can cause inflammation and pain. That's where Cox-2 selective inhibitors come in!

Cox-2 is a special enzyme that helps make prostaglandins. Cox-2 selective inhibitors are medicines that block Cox-2, so your body makes less prostaglandins. That means less inflammation and less pain!

But why is it "selective"? Well, Cox-2 isn't the only enzyme that makes prostaglandins. There's also Cox-1, which makes prostaglandins that protect your stomach, kidneys, and blood vessels.

Some older medicines, like aspirin and ibuprofen, block both Cox-1 and Cox-2. While they can help with pain and inflammation, they can also cause side effects like stomach ulcers and bleeding.

Cox-2 selective inhibitors only block Cox-2, leaving Cox-1 alone. That means they're better for your stomach and kidneys and don't have as many side effects as older medicines.

So, to sum up: cox-2 selective inhibitors are medicines that block a special enzyme (Cox-2) that makes too many prostaglandins and causes inflammation and pain. But they're "selective" so they don't block another enzyme (Cox-1) that protects your stomach and other organs.