Celebrex
Celebrex (known generically as Celecoxib) is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID), in a class of drugs commonly called "Cox-2 Inhibitors." Celebrex is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteo-arthritis, and was also approved to treat intestinal polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
On December 17 2004, Pfizer, the maker of Celebrex, revealed that one of two clinical trials showed that patients taking Celebrex had an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Pfizer is examining why one trial showed this risk while another trial did not, but so far Celebrex has not been removed from the marketplace.
In the meantime, doctors who are concerned about the heart attack risk in patients are advising their patients not to take Celebrex. In September 2001, three health associations, the American Heart Association, the National Stroke Association, and the Arthritis Foundastion, asked the makers of Celebrex to examine the link between Celebrex and cardiovascular problems.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately as these symptoms could be signs of dangerous side effects: abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea, bloody vomit, bloody, black or tarry stools, swelling or water retention, fatigue, unexplained weight gain, rash, yellowing of the skin, yellowing of the eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding.
If you are currently taking Celebrex but are concerned about the side effects, talk to your doctor immediately about your options.
Celebrex News
[ CELEBREX: The Ledger ] Mar-07-07: Consumers grow increasingly wary about Celebrex, as they file thousands of heart attack and stroke complaints with the FDA.
[ CELEBREX: CNBC ] Feb-26-07: American Heart Association says a recent analysis show that COX-2 drugs such as Celebrex increase the risk of having a heart attack by 86%.