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Cox-2 Inhibitor Celebrex - Information

Celebrex is a prescription drug belonging to a class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) called COX-2 inhibitors. Traditional NSAIDs (ibuprofen and aspirin) block both COX-2 and COX-1 enzymes. However, COX-1 enzyme protects the lining of the stomach and blocking it can lead to stomach irritation. Celebrex works by blocking only COX-2 enzymes in the body that cause inflammation characteristic to arthritis. Celebrex, and similar COX-2 inhibitors Vioxx and Bextra, hit the market promising effective pair relief for those suffering arthritis pain without the discomfort and potential health risks associated with traditional NSAIDs. It is prescribed to relieve symptoms associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The FDA approved Celebrex in December 1998. The drug has been closely watched over the years as studies dating back to 2001 have loosely linked major side effects to Celebrex. Information gathered from long terms studies show that a small but significant number of the COX-2 drug's users experienced increased risk of gastrointestinal problems and cardiovascular events.

Arthritis

Approximately 40 million Americans suffer from arthritis. The two types treated by Celebrex are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis - a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage covering the end of the bone in the joints begins to deteriorate, causing loss of movement and pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis - an autoimmune disease that occurs when the joint lining becomes inflamed, causing destruction of the joint, loss of movement, and pain.

Celebrex Information: Side Effects and Risks

In February 2000, the FDA denied a request by the makers of Celebrex to remove label warnings about serious stomach ulcers. Medical reviewers did not find any evidence to suggest that Celebrex was associated with a lower rate of stomach ulcers than traditional NSAIDs. Instead, they found that taking low-dose aspirin (to prevent heart attack) in combination with Celebrex increased the risk of developing ulcers.

In addition, Celebrex has been linked to 10 deaths and 11 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding that required hospitalization.

There is also some evidence to suggest other risks associated with Celebrex. Information from a study released in mid-December, 2004 showed that patients taking large does of Celebrex COX-2 inhibitor over an extended period can increase the risk of cardiovascular events by up to 2 ½ times. It should be noted that the patients in the study that showed the increased risk were taking between 400-milligram and 800-milligram doses of Celebrex in a study treating colon polyps. Celebrex is currently FDA approved only in 100-milligram to 400-millgram doses for treating arthritis.

In an earlier review of several studies involving approximately 48,000 patients, researchers discovered that patients taking Celebrex were twice as likely to suffer from cardiovascular problems such as blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.

This website is intended to provide a brief overview of the arthritis drug Celebrex. For information more specific to your case, contact a physician.

If you or someone you know has suffered injuries as a result of Celebrex COX-2 inhibitor, contact a Celebrex attorney to discuss your legal rights.