萬能「消炎藥」？ The Almighty Anti-Inflammatory Drugs?
「藥劑師，我覺得我發炎呀，可唔可以配消炎藥比我食呀？」
“Hello pharmacist. I think I have got some inflammation. Can I have some anti-inflammatory drugs?”
提到「消炎藥」，相信大家一定不會陌生，而且很有可能你也曾經服用過「消炎藥」。但是你又知不知道究竟自己服用的是甚麼藥物？是不是甚麼情況都可以吃「消炎藥」呢？今天就為大家來拆解一下常用的四大類「消炎藥」：
Everybody should have heard of, or even taken “Anti-Inflammatory Drugs” before. But do you know exactly what drug are you taking? Can these drugs be taken in any situation? Let’s have a brief discussion here! There are mainly 4 classes of drugs which are generally called “Anti-Inflammatory Drugs”:
1. 非類固醇消炎止痛藥
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
這種藥物主要針對炎症引起的痛症，並不會因為有「消炎」效果而加快痊癒。
NSAIDs are indicated for pain associated with inflammation. However, they do not help speed up recovery by its anti-inflammatory nature.
2. 消炎消腫酵素
Lysozyme
這類藥物主要針對上呼吸道感染症狀如喉痛等，一般都是由雞蛋提取。
Lysozyme is extracted from egg and an anti-inflammatory enzyme for relieving symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) such as sore throat.
3. 抗生素
Antibiotics
嚴格來講，抗生素並不直接「消炎」，只是因為殺死了引起炎症的細菌後才能達到消除炎症的效果。但要注意若病情並不是由細菌感染引起，如一般由病毒引致的感冒，抗生素就會對病情無甚幫助。
Strictly speaking, antibiotics do not equal “anti-inflammatory drugs” as they do not possess anti-inflammatory effect on its own. Instead, they work by killing the bacteria which cause inflammation. It is important to note that if you are not getting bacterial infection, for example viral infection like influenza, antibiotics will not help with your condition.
4. 類固醇
Steroids
類固醇能降低炎症，不過若不解決炎症的原因，就只會是治標不治本，還有可能會使病情變得更嚴重。
Steroids are prescribed to reduce and prevent inflammation. However, there are a number of special precautions when taking steroids. Taking steroids without consulting healthcare professionals can make your condition even worse.
或許各位讀者看到這裡都已經會感到頭昏腦脹，所以如果對自己的藥物有疑問，或者不清楚自己該吃那一種「消炎藥」，就去藥房問藥劑師吧！
If you have questions about the above medications and don’t know which one suits
you the most, please feel free to consult your pharmacist!
屈臣氏藥劑師團隊
Watsons Pharmacy Team
