Bextra Tips
When it comes to Bextra, we've been there, done that, now serving 50 tips in 5 categories ranging from Bextra to Regulating Bextra.
The Bextra debate
Pfizer has taken limited steps to warn the public about the dangerous side effects from Bextra use, and unfortunately only pulled the drug off the market after the FDA asked for a voluntary removal. Information about the dangers of Bextra are now widely available. The Food and Drug Administration is an excellent source of information, as are several medical consumer advocacy groups.
The Bextra debate
The American Heart Association's annual meeting convened in New Orleans in November, 2004. During this conference a leading heart researcher disclosed information about Bextra safety in terms of cardiovascular risks. This expert cited a recent study that indicated patients who take Bextra after cardiac bypass surgery are at an increased risk of suffering from cardiovascular complications, as compared to patients who had not taken Bextra after undergoing a similar surgical procedure.
Side effects of Bextra
Bextra safety concerns have been mounting ever since the recall of a similar drug. Vioxx is a prescription medication, similar to Bextra in form and function, which was recalled from the market in September 2004 after studies revealed that patients taking this pain killer for eighteen months were twice as likely to suffer from heart attack or stroke as the general population.
Bextra and the FDA
Concern about Bextra stroke and heart attack risks first came to the fore of social concern after a similar drug was recalled because of its cardiovascular risks. Vioxx, also a COX-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was voluntarily pulled from the shelves by its maker in September 2004.
The Bextra debate
One criticism of Bextra is that is was only available in 10 mg doses. Some studies suggest that this is an unnecessarily large dose. In a review article of ten large, well-controlled, randomized trials of Bextra, doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/day were significantly superior to placebo for osteoarthritis of the knee. 5 mg of Bextra was effective for osteoarthritis of the hip. Your doctor is unlikely to know any of this, because it isn't mentioned in the Bextra package insert or Physicians' Desk Reference.
The Bextra debate
One criticism of Bextra and other COX-2 nonsteroidal anti-infalmmatory drugs is that they were sold with a one-size-fits-all dosage for osteoarthritis, unlike traditional NSAIDs that come in a variety of sizes and doses. So, in the words on one critic, "your 90-year old grandmother with arthritic hands will receive the very same, super-strong dosage as Shaquille O'Neal will receive for his arthritic toe."
