• Home
• Defective Drug Index
• About A Drug Recall
• Contact A Defective Drug Lawyer

We Can Help.

Bextra Heart Attack

Bextra heart attack risks are just one of many serious risks that prompted the FDA to order a recall of this popular prescription drug. On April 7, 2005 Pfizer announced that they will indefinitely suspend Bextra sales in the United States. The FDA prompted this Bextra recall because the potential risks of a Bextra heart attack and other serious side effects far exceeds the intended benefits of this drug.

Bextra heart attack concerns began to mount after the recall of a similar drug in late September of 2004. Vioxx, a COX-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug similar to Bextra and Celebrex (both manufactured by Pfizer), was voluntarily pulled from the shelves by its maker, Merck and Co. The Vioxx recall was prompted by the results of a Merck-sponsored clinical trial. This study indicated that patients taking Vioxx for eighteen months were two times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke as compared to the general population.

After the Vioxx recall, concerns began to mount about Celebrex and Bextra heart attack risks. Pfizer assured consumers, regulators, and doctors that cardiovascular side effects were unique to Vioxx. Pfizer insisted that Bextra heart attack risks did not pose any additional threat to patients. Less than two months after the Vioxx recall, Pfizer announced the results of a study that implicated Bextra for the same cardiovascular crimes as Vioxx.

In November 2004 Pfizer announced that clinical studies found an increased risk of Bextra heart attack complications in some patient populations. The post-CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting) clinical study was designed to measure the effects of Bextra on pain management in patients recovering from heart surgery. Patients in the experimental group were two times more likely to suffer a Bextra heart attack, stoke, blood clot, renal failure, or heart failure compared to those in the control group.

Despite these Bextra heart attack findings, Pfizer made no indication that they planned to strengthen Bextra warnings, much less withdrawal their product from the market. After Bextra heart attack risks were discovered, the FDA issued an agency talk paper in December 2004 urging doctors to limit their use of Bextra in treating patient's chronic pain conditions. The federal government also asked Pfizer to issue stronger warnings about Bextra heart attack and skin risks. The FDA stated that they would be investigating the extent of Bextra heart attack risks to determine if further action should be taken.

Based on in-depth investigations of Bextra heart attack and other risks, the FDA determined that Bextra's potential risks outweigh any potential benefits provided by this dangerous painkiller. If you or a loved one has suffered a Bextra heart attack or any other Bextra injury, you may wish to speak with a trained and experienced legal expert who can evaluate your case to assess and protect your legal interests. You may be eligible to file a claim to seek compensation for your losses and suffering.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a Bextra heart attack, please contact a Bextra Recall Lawyer.

More Bextra Resources

Bextra Consumer Information - Patient FAQ on Bextra, including side effects, warnings and drug information from the FDA.

• Plavix Side Effects
• Fosamax Side Effects
• Paxil Birth Defect
• Trasylol Lawyer
• Viagra Blindness
• Ortho Evra Attorneys