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drug_recall celebrexA Celebrex stoke is one of the serious cardiovascular side effects that is associated with use of this COX-2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Celebrex stroke risks are similar to the risks associated with both Vioxx and Bextra. Both of these COX-2 NSAIDs have been pulled from the market because of their cardiovascular risks. Celebrex stroke risks are just as great, if not greater, than those associated with the recalled drugs, yet Celebrex remains on the market.
Celebrex stroke risks first became a concern after the September 2004 recall of Vioxx. A Vioxx study found that those patients taking Celebrex for eighteen months were two times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke, as compared to those in the general population. Vioxx was voluntarily pulled off the market by its maker Merck after these cardiovascular risks were discovered. Following the recall, concerns about Celebrex stroke and heart attack risks mounted. Pfizer, the makers of Celebrex, consistently maintained that these risks were unique to Vioxx and that patients did not face any increased Celebrex stroke and heart attack risks.
Less than two months later, clinical studies found a significant increase in Celebrex stroke and heart attack risks. The National Cancer Institute designed a three year clinical study to determine the effect of Celebrex on the prevention of colon polyps. This study was concluded prematurely because researchers found a significant risk of Celebrex stroke or heart attack injuries. Clinical trial participants who had taken 400 milligrams of Celebrex were two and a half times more likely to suffer a Celebrex stroke or heart attack. Those taking 800 milligrams were more than three times more likely to suffer a Celebrex stroke or heart attack compared to the control group.
The Celebrex stroke and heart attack risks discovered in this clinical trial are even greater than the risks associated with Vioxx, and yet Celebrex has not been withdrawn from the market. As a response to these Celebrex stroke and heart attack risks, Pfizer announced that they would be conducting further investigations to determine the extent of these risks. The FDA also began to investigate Celebrex stroke and heart attack risks. The FDA ordered Pfizer to halt all Celebrex ads because the company had overstated the benefits and understated the risks associated with their product. The FDA also urged doctors to reduce their prescribing of Celebrex and look for alternative treatment options for patients.
In April 2005 the FDA ordered Pfizer to recall Bextra (another of its COX-2 NSAIDs) because of the cardiovascular risks associated with this drug. Celebrex stroke and heart risks are similar to those that prompted the Bextra recall, yet Celebrex remains on the market. At the same time the Bextra recall was ordered, the FDA also ordered Pfizer to strengthen its warnings about Celebrex stroke and heart attack risks on all product information. Some experts still maintain that Celebrex should also be pulled from the market to protect consumers from potentially deadly cardiovascular risks.
If you or a loved one has suffered a Celebrex stroke or heart attack, you may wish to explore your legal rights and options with the help of a qualified and experienced attorney.
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