COX-2 Inhibitors Information

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    COX-2 Inhibitors include the drugs Vioxx® (rofecoxib), Bextra®
(valdecoxib) and Celebrex® (celecoxib).  COX-2 inhibitors are
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, and are
prescribed to treat arthritis and muscle pain.  Numerous studies
have found increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots in
patients using COX-2 inhibitors.  This class of drugs was intended
to treat pain but with decreased gastrointestinal side effects
associated with the older NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
COX-2 inhibitors work by blocking the COX-2 enzyme, whereas the
older NSAIDs block both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.

    Vioxx® was withdrawn by Merck and Co. on September 30, 2004
after a study was released demonstrating an increased risk of
heart attack, stroke and blood clots.

    Bextra® was withdrawn by Pfizer on April 7, 2005 due to the drug’
s side effects including heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and skin
disorders such as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic
Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).
Celebrex® is the only COX-2 inhibitor that remains on the market.  

    Many doctors and patients have criticized Merck, Pfizer and the
FDA for allowing Vioxx®, Bextra® and Celebrex® to remain on the
market for years following their approval despite numerous early
findings of serious and potentially fatal cardiovascular risks and
skin disorders.