Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most ušed drugs in treatment of rheumatic diseases and pain. In the treatment of cardiovascular diseases aspirin is the widest ušed drug for its antiplatelet effect and plays he main role in secondary and primary prevention of ischemic events. Selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors - coxibs are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, tromboembolic events, and new onset of hypertension, congestive heart failure and worsening of pre-existing heart failure. As published studies show increased cardiovascular risk of coxibs, some of them were withdrawn from the globál market. Cardiovascular risk of nonselective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is not yet clarified.

        Key words: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclooxygenase, prostaglandins, thromboxan, prosta- cyclin, coxibs