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drug_recall bextraBextra safety has been called into question in recent months after the recall of a similar drug called Vioxx. Both Bextra and Vioxx are prescription pain medications in the class of COX-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These Cox-2 selective NSAIDs are used to treat the severe pain of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and primary dysmenorrhea.
This class of drugs differs from the original NSAIDs that were developed to treat severe pain. The original drugs inhibited both the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes that play a role in pain relief. The inhibition of COX-1 was shown to cause significant gastrointestinal problems in patients, so new drugs like Bextra and Vioxx were created to inhibit COX-2 alone, thereby reducing the risks of gastrointestinal problems.
Bextra safety has come into question since September 2004 when the makers of Vioxx voluntarily pulled their COX-2 drug off the market. This recall came after internal studies revealed that taking Vioxx doubles a person''s chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Because Bextra affects the body in much the same way that Vioxx does, Bextra safety has become a veritable concern in the pharmaceutical and health industries.
Bextra safety was originally evaluated by Pfizer (its manufacturer) in a six month trial testing the effects of Bextra on more than seven thousand arthritis patients. The FDA also evaluated Bextra safety before approving its use in November 2001. The FDA reported some serious side effects associated with Bextra safety at this time. Bextra has been shown to cause serious allergic reactions in some patients. At least twenty Bextra patients have developed serious and potentially life threatening skin diseases such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Both the makers of Bextra and the Federal Drug Administration have disclosed plans to conduct further research regarding Bextra safety. Pfizer has committed to conducting long term Bextra safety trials to determine the long term cardiovascular effects of taking this medication. In February 2005, the FDA plans to convene an advisory committee that will review Bextra safety and the safety of all COX-2 selective NSAIDs to determine the long term effects of these medications on cardiovascular health.
No substantiated reports on Bextra safety have shown that taking this medication increases a patient''s risk for developing serious heart or stroke problems. It is important to keep in mind that Bextra safety research is not conclusive and it is possible that Bextra carries risks similar to those associated with taking Vioxx.
If you should experience any adverse side effects while taking Bextra, you should seek immediate medical attention. If you have been injured as a result of taking Bextra, a qualified attorney can evaluate your case to determine if you are eligible to file a lawsuit against the makers of Bextra for the injuries you have sustained.
Bextra , the popular cox-2 inhibitor recalled by Pfizer, is the subject of another lawsuit.
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