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Celebrex versus Vioxx

The overall safety of Celebrex versus Vioxx has become a major concern ever since Vioxx was recalled on September 30, 2004. The Celebrex versus Vioxx debate has centered on the cardiovascular safety of these two COX-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that were both approved in the late 1990s. Both Celebrex and Vioxx were approved by the FDA to treat the severe pain associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and primary dysmenorrhea (severe menstrual cramping).

Vioxx was voluntarily pulled off the market by its maker, Merck and Co., after internal clinical trials revealed that patients who had taken Vioxx for eighteen months were twice as likely to suffer adverse cardiovascular events- heart attack and stroke- as patients who had taken a placebo. Since the Vioxx recall there has been mounting concern about the cardiovascular safety of all other COX-2 selective NSAIDs, including Celebrex and Bextra, both made by Pfizer. Since the Vioxx recall, Pfizer has issued three separate statements about the safety of Celebrex versus Vioxx. Each one claimed that cardiovascular risks were unique to Vioxx and were not inherent risks associated with all COX-2 selective NSAIDs.

On December 17, 2004, just two months after the Vioxx recall, studies are finding cardiovascular risks associated with Celebrex use. The National Cancer Institute suspended their clinical trial studying the use of Celebrex as a cancer preventative, after preliminary findings suggested that patients who take 400 to 800 milligrams of Celebrex are at a two and a half times greater risk of heart attack or cardiovascular stroke than patients who take a placebo. When put into the context of the Celebrex versus Vioxx debate, this new evidence suggests that cardiovascular risks might be even greater for Celebrex patients than they were for Vioxx patients.

Pfizer is not currently considering a Celebrex recall, and has stated that they will investigate these findings further and immediately report their results to regulators, doctors, and patients worldwide. Pfizer has qualified the results of this trial by citing the results of other clinical trials. The aforementioned National Cancer Institute trial is one of two long term trials established to study the effects of Celebrex on cancer. In the second trial patients have been given 400 milligrams of Celebrex and have not been found to be at an increased risk for cardiovascular problems. Pfizer has stated that patients who are taking lower doses may not be at risk for heart and stroke problems.

The Celebrex versus Vioxx cardiovascular debate is still underway as continued research investigates the safety of Celebrex on cardiovascular health. Both of these medications have been associated with possible gastrointestinal complications, allergic reactions, and other health problems. If you are interested in getting more information about the safety of Celebrex versus Vioxx, you may wish to speak to your doctor, especially before making any changes to your current treatment. If you have suffered any adverse reaction from Celebrex use, you may wish to speak to a legal professional who can advise you of your legal rights and options in a personal injury case to recover your losses.

If you have taken Celebrex arthritis drug and have suffered adverse reactions because of it, please contact us to speak with a lawyer for more information on Celebrex versus Vioxx.

More Celebrex Resources

MedLine Plus Drug Information - Guide to prescription and over-the-counter medications provided by the United States Pharmacopeia.

Celebrex - A source of information about relief from arthritis pain including Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

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