Which drug is a selective COX-2 inhibitor?

Which drug is a selective COX-2 inhibitor?

• A. Celecoxib
• B. Meloxicam
• C. Diclofenac
• D. Acetaminophen

Answer: (A)

This question tests understanding of COX-2 selectivity among NSAIDs. A selective COX-2 inhibitor blocks the COX-2 enzyme involved in inflammation while sparing COX-1, which helps protect the stomach and support normal platelet function. Celecoxib fits this profile by preferentially inhibiting COX-2 with minimal COX-1 inhibition, delivering anti-inflammatory effects with fewer GI side effects than non-selective NSAIDs. Meloxicam has COX-2 preference but is not exclusively selective and still inhibits COX-1 to some extent, so it isn’t a true selective COX-2 inhibitor. Diclofenac inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2 more broadly, not providing selectivity. Acetaminophen isn’t a classic COX inhibitor in peripheral tissues and lacks significant anti-inflammatory action, so it’s not a COX-2 selective NSAID. Therefore, the drug that is the selective COX-2 inhibitor is celecoxib.

This question tests understanding of COX-2 selectivity among NSAIDs. A selective COX-2 inhibitor blocks the COX-2 enzyme involved in inflammation while sparing COX-1, which helps protect the stomach and support normal platelet function. Celecoxib fits this profile by preferentially inhibiting COX-2 with minimal COX-1 inhibition, delivering anti-inflammatory effects with fewer GI side effects than non-selective NSAIDs. Meloxicam has COX-2 preference but is not exclusively selective and still inhibits COX-1 to some extent, so it isn’t a true selective COX-2 inhibitor. Diclofenac inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2 more broadly, not providing selectivity. Acetaminophen isn’t a classic COX inhibitor in peripheral tissues and lacks significant anti-inflammatory action, so it’s not a COX-2 selective NSAID. Therefore, the drug that is the selective COX-2 inhibitor is celecoxib.