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COX-2 Inhibitors

  • Arcoxia (generic name: etoricoxib)
  • Bextra (generic name: valdecoxib)
  • Celebrex (generic name: celecoxib)
  • Dynastat (generic name: parecoxib, not yet approved for sale in the U.S.)
  • Mobic (generic name: meloxicam)
  • Prexige (generic name: lumiracoxib, not yet approved for sale in the U.S. )
  • Vioxx (generic name: rofecoxib)

Prescription painkillers such as Vioxx and Celebrex belong to a class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen are all NSAIDs. NSAIDs are known to cause side effects in patients such as stomach ulcer and bleeding. Traditional NSAIDs like aspirin inhibit both Cox-1 and Cox-2 enzymes, reducing the ability of the stomach lining to protect itself from its contents and causing stomach upset and pain. Cox-2 inhibitors were developed in order to decrease these side effects while providing pain relief. "Selectively" inhibiting the Cox-2 enzyme is thought to help reduce this stomach upset.

Serious Side Effects of COX-2 Inhibitors

COX-2 inhibitors are commonly prescribed for arthritis and menstrual pain. However, COX-2 inhibitors like Celebrex, Bextra and Vioxx upset the balance between the two COX enzymes. This imbalance promotes blood clotting and constriction of blood vessels, which could lead to heart attack, stroke, and sudden cardiac death.

Anyone experiencing side effects of their COX-2 inhibiting medications should contact their medical doctor as soon as possible. Potential side effects of COX-2 inhibiting drugs can include:

  • Severe stomach pain
  • Bloody vomit
  • Bloody or black, tarry stools
  • Bloody or cloudy urine
  • Unexplained bruising or bleeding
  • Wheezing or breathing troubles
  • Swelling in the face or around the eyes
  • Severe rash or red, itchy skin

COX-2 inhibitors have also been linked to serious life-threatening side effects, including:

  • Hypertension
  • Edema (swelling)
  • Fatal allergic vasculitis
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Sudden cardiac death
  • Acute renal failure

The COX-2 inhibitor Vioxx, manufactured by Merck and Co., was recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on September 29, 2004, due to its link to heart attacks, stroke and sudden cardiac death in patients. Since the Vioxx recall, more serious attention has been focused on the dangers of Cox-2 inhibitors, and the drugs Celebrex and Bextra are under further investigation at this time. The FDA issued a public health advisory on December 23, 2004, urging physicians to consider with care recent clinical studies of COX-2 inhibitors that suggest that patients at high risk of internal bleeding, heart disease, or patients undergoing surgery risk serious cardiovascular events if given COX-2 inhibitors for pain.

Learn more about the COX-2 inhibitors currently on our watch list:

Bextra may cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Heart Attacks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a Public Health Advisory on April 7, 2005, to warn the public that it has requested that Pfizer, Inc., manufacturer of the COX-2 inhibiting drug Bextra, to voluntarily recall the drug. Bextra has been linked to heart attacks, stroke, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare but serious allergic reaction that can be fatal. If you’ve experienced any of these life-threatening complications while on Bextra, call us now about your case. For more information …

Celebrex

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently halted a long-term trial on the effectiveness of Cox-2 inhibitors at treating cancerous polyps because of the increased level of adverse cardiovascular events among patients in the study. Patients receiving a 400-mg. dose of Celebrex were 3.4 times as likely to experience adverse cardiovascular events than with a placebo. For patients receiving the 200 mg dose of Celebrex, the risk was 2.5 times as great …

Vioxx doubles risk of stroke and cardiac death

Have you or a loved one recently suffered from a heart attack or stroke? Merck & Co. announced on September 29, 2004, that they are recalling Vioxx, a prescription drug commonly used to relieve arthritis and menstrual pain. Merck recalled Vioxx on September 29, 2004, due to information it released from a three-year clinical trial. The study found …