Disclosed herein are materials and methods for treating patients that have been exposed to pathological levels on ionizing radiation. These materials and methods include administering to a patient in thereof at least one dose of a compound such as prostaglandin (PGE2) as soon as possible after the patient has been exposed to the radiation. Additional embodiments include treating a patient exposed to radiation with at least one dose of a compound that modulates PGE2 activity such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compound. Some methods include a first step of administering PGE2 or another compound that binds as soon as possible after exposure to radiation followed by a delayed dosing with at least one compound such as meloxicam that interferes with PGE2 activity.
