11.02.5 Drugs that Inhibit Phospholipase A2

Steroid anti-inflammatory drugs act by inhibiting phospholipase A2 and the release of arachidonic acid from the cell membrane. They have the additional action of inhibiting expression of COX. These are the most powerful anti-inflammatory agents available and are used to treat a range of serious inflammatory disorders including arthritis, asthma, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, eczema and others. (e.g. hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, budesonide, beclamethosone)