Arthritis Drugs - Risk For Health
The Bextra arthritis drug is an NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug), which is orally prescribed by medical professionals mainly to treat/reduce the symptoms of acute pain, inflammation and fever associated with arthritis.
However, This drug is alos used in the treatment of menstrual pain, migraines, bone pains, ankylosing spondylitis, renal colic etc.
Bextra is also known as Valdecoxib and is manufactured by Pfizer.
This drug was first launched in the United States in 2001 and was later withdrawn in 2005 as per recommendations of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) - a regulatory agency of the government.
The main reasons for the above action taken by the FDA against the Bextra arthritis drug were as follows:
The effectiveness of Bextra as a pain reliever was well known.
Another advantage of Bextra over was that it lowered the risks of gastrointestinal disorders that were associated with other NSAID's.
The recall of Bextra from the market by FDA confused many patients and doctors alike.
Medical practitioners felt that the decision to prescribe Bextra to a particular patient should be left to the doctor alone, as he/she would be in a better position to understand the effect that such a drug could have on the patient's body and so, could effectively regulate the dosage to reduce any such adverse effects.
Patients that were effectively using Bextra had to resort to some alternate drug in a relatively short span of time as well.
Ever since the removal of the Bextra arthritis drug from the market, new guidelines were established by the FDA.
These guidelines basically stated that any other such drugs had to carry warnings that mentioned the risks associated with the intake of such products as well as the proper method to ensure "safe use" of the same drugs.
Even Pfizer's other similar product - Celebrex was affected by this decision.
To sum it up, this entire incident only led to more stringent control and increased awareness among the medical community as well as the general public.
However, This drug is alos used in the treatment of menstrual pain, migraines, bone pains, ankylosing spondylitis, renal colic etc.
Bextra is also known as Valdecoxib and is manufactured by Pfizer.
This drug was first launched in the United States in 2001 and was later withdrawn in 2005 as per recommendations of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) - a regulatory agency of the government.
The main reasons for the above action taken by the FDA against the Bextra arthritis drug were as follows:
- Almost all NSAID's and other anti-inflammatory medications are known the increase the risk of heart failure in patients.
It is generally assumed that the use of Bextra doubles the risk of cardiovascular ailments in patients.
For patients with a history of cardiovascular diseases, the adverse effects of Bextra are even more pronounced. - Increased risk of strokes too is associated with Bextra.
- The major reason however, for the recall by FDA was the increased risk of skin reactions, which were sometimes fatal as well.
The effectiveness of Bextra as a pain reliever was well known.
Another advantage of Bextra over was that it lowered the risks of gastrointestinal disorders that were associated with other NSAID's.
The recall of Bextra from the market by FDA confused many patients and doctors alike.
Medical practitioners felt that the decision to prescribe Bextra to a particular patient should be left to the doctor alone, as he/she would be in a better position to understand the effect that such a drug could have on the patient's body and so, could effectively regulate the dosage to reduce any such adverse effects.
Patients that were effectively using Bextra had to resort to some alternate drug in a relatively short span of time as well.
Ever since the removal of the Bextra arthritis drug from the market, new guidelines were established by the FDA.
These guidelines basically stated that any other such drugs had to carry warnings that mentioned the risks associated with the intake of such products as well as the proper method to ensure "safe use" of the same drugs.
Even Pfizer's other similar product - Celebrex was affected by this decision.
To sum it up, this entire incident only led to more stringent control and increased awareness among the medical community as well as the general public.
