Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to treat inflammatory pain, but they can have severe side effects, including potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal, renal and cardiac toxicity. Their analgesic effect is driven by inhibition of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis and subsequent inflammation, but this inhibitory effect on inflammation could delay pain resolution. An optimal approach to managing PG-mediated pain would selectively relieve pain while preserving the PGs’ essential inflammatory and protective functions.