Bextra

On the heels of the recall of Vioxx in September 2004, results of a study were issued to the American Heart Association on November 9, 2004 linking Bextra to heart attacks.  Bextra was taken off the market on April 7, 2005.

The study, which consisted of approximately 6,000 patients taking part in 12 trials, found that the incidence of heart attacks and strokes among patients taking Bextra was more than TWICE  those given placebos.

According the Dr. Garret A. FitzGerald, a cardiologist and pharmacologist at the University of Pennsylvania, "The magnitude of the signal with Bextra is even higher than what we saw in Vioxx.  This is a time bomb waiting to go off."

Bextra has also been linked, along with Vioxx and Celebrex to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a rare inflammatory skin disorder that can be life-threatening.

About Bextra

Bextra, also known as valdecoxib, was approved by the FDA on November 2001 and went to market in March 2002. Bextra is made by Pharmacia/Pfizer.

Bextra is prescribed for the relief of symptoms of:

• osteoarthritis (also known as "wear and tear" arthritis, a degenerative joint disease common in older people)
• adult rheumatoid arthritis (a severe form of arthritis which affects over 2 million people)
• primary dysmennorhea (severe menstrual cramping)

Bextra is taken once daily. It is classified as a COX-2 inhibitor, part of a group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). COX-2 inhibitors block one of the enzymes which causes pain and inflammation; other similar drugs include Vioxx and Celebrex.

Note - Do not change medications without first consulting your doctor.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a rare inflammatory skin disorder that can be life-threatening.

Almost any medication, including over-the-counter drugs, may trigger Stevens-Johnson. Antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) including medications such as Bextra, Vioxx, and Celebrex, are often associated with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome can occur at any age. The majority of cases occur between ages 20 and 40; one-fifth of all cases occur in people under age 20. It is estimated that out of every million Americans, three to eight people are hospitalized each year due to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and related conditions.

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