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Although the inflammatory response is an effective and important part of the body's systems for defence and repair, it does produce some undesirable effects. These include pain, loss of function and possible generation of long-lasting hyperalgesia. Release of inflammatory mediators following tissue insult may also induce a cycle of inflammatory cell attraction and further mediator release. This leads to a self-perpetuating chronic inflammatory response. To control these adverse effects, anti-inflammatory drugs may be used.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are also useful in the control of other inflammation-related conditions. These include anaphylaxis, endotoxaemia and asthma-type respiratory disease.
The classes of anti-inflammatory drugs are: