The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued supplemental request letters to sponsors of all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) requesting that they make labeling changes to their products. These letters include recommended proposed labeling for both the prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs and a medication guide for the entire class of prescription products. Continue reading ⇒
Celebrex
Celebrex(Celecoxib) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain, painful menstruation and menstrual symptoms, and to reduce numbers of colon and rectum polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. It was originally intended to relieve pain while minimizing the gastrointestinal adverse effects usually seen with conventional NSAIDs. It is marketed by Pfizer under the brand name Celebrex. Celecoxib is available by prescription in capsule form.
In February 2007, the American Heart Association warned that Celebrex should be used "as a last resort on patients who have heart disease or a risk of developing it", and suggested that acetaminophen, or certain older NSAIDs, such as naproxen, may be safer choices for pain relief in these patients. There has been much concern about the possibility of increased risk for heart attack and stroke in users of NSAID drugs, particularly COX-2 selective NSAIDs such as celecoxib, since the withdrawal of the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib (Vioxx) in 2004. Like all NSAIDs on the U.S. market, Celebrex now carries an FDA-mandated "black box warning". The new warning for Celebrex concerns the possible link between the drug and serious cardiovascular problems including heart attack and stroke.
Some of the more common side effects of Celebrex may include headache, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, sinus inflammation and upper respiratory tract infection. Similarly to other NSAIDs, there may be a risk of more serious side effects such as liver damage, stomach ulcers, kidney damage, and fluid retention. People with pre-existing kidney and liver ailments may be at an increased risk of additional problems. Celebrex is also linked to the possible side effect of potentially fatal stomach or intestinal bleeding.
Usage:
Celebrex(Celecoxib) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain, painful menstruation and menstrual symptoms, and to reduce numbers of colon and rectum polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. It was originally intended to relieve pain while minimizing the gastrointestinal adverse effects usually seen with conventional NSAIDs. It is marketed by Pfizer under the brand name Celebrex. Celecoxib is available by prescription in capsule form.
Side effects:
Some of the common side effects of Celebrex may include headache, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, sinus inflammation and upper respiratory tract infection. Similarly to other NSAIDs, there may be a risk of more serious side effects such as liver damage, stomach ulcers, kidney damage, and fluid retention. People with pre-existing kidney and liver ailments may be at an increased risk of additional problems. Celebrex is also linked to the possible side effect of potentially fatal stomach or intestinal bleeding.
There has been much concern about the possibility of increased risk for heart attack and stroke in users of NSAID drugs, particularly COX-2 selective NSAIDs such as celecoxib, since the withdrawal of the COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib (Vioxx) in 2004. Like all NSAIDs on the U.S. market, Celebrex now carries an FDA-mandated "black box warning". The new warning for Celebrex concerns the possible link between the drug and serious cardiovascular problems including heart attack and stroke.
In February 2007, the American Heart Association warned that Celebrex should be used "as a last resort on patients who have heart disease or a risk of developing it", and suggested that acetaminophen, or certain older NSAIDs, such as naproxen, may be safer choices for pain relief in these patients.
Litigation:
Pfizer has announced that they are not currently considering a Celebrex recall, but have promised to analyze this new data and report their findings to regulators, doctors, and patients worldwide. If you or a loved one have used the prescription drug Celebrex and noticed adverse side effects, such as stroke or heart attack, you may wish to contact a legal professional. If you are interested in more information on Celebrex litigation, please fill out the contact form to your right and an experienced Celebrex attorney will call you to discuss your rights.
