Bextra Information Center
Bextra Side Effects:
Bextra (Valdecoxib), a popular pain killer may be linked to increased heart attack and stroke risks. Bextra is in the same class of drugs as Vioxx which was withdrawn after studies showed it was too dangerous. Many doctors believe Bextra presents the same or similar risks as Vioxx. If that is true, many people who are now taking Bextra may be at great risk.
Bextra: Increased Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes? Bextra, made by the world's largest drug maker Pfizer, has been linked to heart attack, stroke and blood clotting. Bextra is a Cox 2 Inhibitor, a drug class that many researchers believe interferes with the body's natural ability to reduce blood clots thereby increasing heart risks. Bextra is very popular and has yearly sales of about $690 million.
In December 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required Pfizer to add a warning about the possibility of heart attacks and blood clots in heart bypass surgery patients. A study by the drug maker included 1,500 patients who had just had heart bypass surgery. The Pfizer study indicated Bextra patients had a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and blood clots in the legs or lungs.
Although the study was relatively small, it comes just after one of the largest drug recalls in history of a very similar drug called Vioxx. Vioxx, made by Merck & Co., was pulled from the market in September 2004 after numerous studies indicated the drug nearly doubled the chances of heart attacks and strokes. Safety concerns plague all the pain killers in this class of drugs called COX-2 inhibitors which also include another Pfizer drug Celebrex.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome:
The new FDA warning highlighted in a black box on all Bextra labels, also links the drug to a potentially fatal skin reaction called Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). The FDA is aware of 87 reported SJS cases and other serious skin reactions. 36 of those patients were hospitalized and four died, according to FDA.
BEXTRA: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do Bextra users have a right to be compensated for health problems caused by Bextra?
A: If you believe Bextra has caused you or a loved one a stroke, heart attack or serious skin reaction you may be entitled to a large compensatory award. You must protect those legal rights before they lapse by passage of time and are barred by various states' statutes of limitations. You should contact our firm immediately for a free case evaluation.
From a legal perspective, there is strong evidence that Pfizer has not given a full disclosure of the risks associated with Bextra. Pfizer may have has acted irresponsibly with regard to informing patients of the health risks associated with its drug. Through the help of experienced lawyers, you may be able to acquire financial compensation for your injuries and treatment.
Q: Has Bextra Been Recalled?
A: No, not yet. But Bextra was one of five drugs that FDA reviewer David Graham identified as unsafe at a Nov. 18 U.S. Senate hearing. Additionally in December 2004 the FDA required the drug maker to add new warnings to cardiac patients. Many experts believe that Bextra dramatically increases patients risks for Heart Attack and Stroke.
Q:What is Bextra?
A: Bextra is one of a class of drugs called COX-2 inhibitors used to relieve acute pain in adult patients. It treats the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. It is also used to treat painful menstrual cycles.
Bextra is made by Pfizer, and has been widely touted as a safe alternative to Vioxx. The drug was approved by the FDA for the treatment of acute pain and osteoarthritis the most common form of arthritis, caused by normal wear and tear of joints that affects nearly 20 million Americans.
Q: Are there Risks Associated Bextra Use?
A: New research indicates that Bextra may carry an increased risk of heart attack. When compared to patients who took traditional pain killers, patients taking Bextra were many more times as likely to suffer from a heart attack. Researchers are not sure whether this side effect is specific to Bextra, or whether it is related to all COX-2 inhibitors.
Bextra may also be linked to Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a potentially fatal skin reaction. According to the FDA , Bextra has been related to 87 SJS cases and other serious skin reactions.
Q: What are some possible side effects of Bextra?
A: Minor side effects can include: Upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, swelling of the lower legs or feet and high blood pressure. Additionally, there are rare reports of serious ulcers occurring in patients taking Bextra.
As indicated above, new research indicates that Bextra may carry an increased risk of heart attack. When compared to patients who took traditional pain killers, patients taking Bextra were as many as four times as likely to suffer from a heart attack. Another study found that the drug may cause kidney failure.