A new group of compounds called the nitro-NSAIDs aroused a great deal of interest at the 6th United European Gastroenterology Week [Birmingham, UK; October 1997]. Initial studies indicate that these drugs retain the anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic properties of conventional NSAIDs, while being associated with less GI toxicity. If their development is successful, they will compete with the highly-selective cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors, which are also being promoted as a better tolerated alternative to conventional NSAIDs. Two COX-2 inhibitors are currently in phase III clinical trials.