Bextra and the FDA

Bextra was approved by the FDA in 2001 to treat the severe pain associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual cramps, and a number of other chronic pain conditions. Originally these drugs were designed to provide effective pain relief without the harmful gastrointestinal side effects associated with original NSAIDs like naproxen and ibuprofen. It was pulled from the market in 2005.