A Prescription for Serious Heart Trouble

Is Bextra as dangerous as Vioxx?  And will Celebrex be the next drug pulled from shelves?

A well-respected cardiologist and pharmacologist who actually helped test this type of arthritis medication years ago analyzed the health of 5,830 patients in 12 trials conducted on Bextra (valdecoxib), the arthritis medication from Pfizer.   His conclusion - use of this anti-arthritis drug roughly doubles the risk of heart attacks and strokes. 

Bextra may be more dangerous than Vioxx, which was recently recalled by Merck when it could no longer deny that its profitable product was causing serious harm to those it was supposed to help. 

Rick Nemeroff defends patients and families of patients who are injured by dangerous drugs.  To reach Rick directly, call him at 1-888-NEM-LAW-1 or complete this online contact form.

Bextra is yet another pharmaceutical product being heavily marketed to consumers, in the face of clear evidence that it is one of a group of arthritis medications, known as cox-2 inhibitors, that is known to pose a serious danger to patients who may be trading arthritis problems for cardiovascular disease.

Bextra has other problems.   Since the firm began marketing the drug in March of 2002, cases of the serious skin and hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. These included cases of Stevens Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis and erythema multiforme. Although these adverse events are rare, some patients required hospitalization. Based on these reports, FDA approved labeling changes for Bextra that include a warning for serious skin reactions.  As these reactions can be life threatening, people who start Bextra and experience a rash should discontinue the drug immediately and contact their doctor.

Bextra has also been linked to bleeding stomach ulcers, and the risk increases with the length of time the drug is taken.  The bleeding ulcers can also start up suddenly – even after years of use with no problem.  If you take Bextra and suddenly get a burning stomach pain, a black bowel movement that looks like tar, or vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds, contact your doctor immediately. 

If you or a loved one has taken Bextra, it is possible that your cardiovascular health may be at risk.  For more information, call Rick Nemeroff at 1-888-NEM-LAW-1 or complete this online contact form.  We will respond promptly to your inquiry.