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Celebrex Warning

On December 17, 2004 Pfizer made a public Celebrex warning statement regarding a study that revealed clinical trial patients who had taken 400 to 800 milligrams of Celebrex were 2.5 times more likely to suffer from heart attack or cardiovascular stroke than patients who had taken a placebo. This study was initially designed to study the effects of Celebrex use on cancer patients. The National Cancer Institute suspended this clinical trial after preliminary findings found these increased risks associated with Celebrex use.

Despite this serious Celebrex warning, Pfizer has stated that they have no plans to issue a Celebrex recall. Instead, Pfizer has stated that they will, "take immediate steps to fully understand the results and rapidly communicate new information to regulators, physicians and patients around the world," regarding the veracity of this Celebrex warning. This recent Celebrex warning is the result of preliminary evidence from one of two long term cancer trials. In the second trial, patients have been given 400 milligrams of Celebrex. To date, the results of this second trial show no evidence that patients are at an increased risk for developing adverse cardiovascular reactions.

This Celebrex warning has larger implications regarding overall safety concerns about COX-2 selective anti-inflammatory drugs, including Celebrex, Bextra, and Vioxx. Just two months ago, Vioxx was voluntarily pulled off the market after clinical trials showed that patients taking Vioxx were twice as likely to suffer heart attack or stroke as patients taking a placebo. If the findings in the Celebrex warning are confirmed, Celebrex may prove to be even more injurious to cardiovascular health than Vioxx.

Celebrex warning statements have long been issued regarding other serious risks that are associated with this medication. When Celebrex was first approved by the FDA in 1999 to treat the severe pain associated with arthritis and menstrual cramps, The Wall Street Journal published a Celebrex warning. In this article, the Journal cited ten deaths that had been linked to Celebrex use during the first three months of its availability. Of these deaths, five were reportedly the result of ulcers (gastrointestinal bleeding), two the result of heart attacks, one because of kidney problems, one the result of drug interaction complications, and the last cause of death was unknown. Though Celebrex use was eventually not assumed responsible for these deaths, this new Celebrex warning reiterates the potential for serious side effects associated with Celebrex use.

Celebrex is one of the top ten selling prescription drugs in the world with annual sales totaling almost three billion dollars. Over 27 million people have been prescribed Celebrex for the treatment of chronic pain afflictions in the United States alone. If you are taking Celebrex and are concerned about the recent Celebrex warning, it is important to speak with your doctor before making any changes to your treatment. Your doctor will be able to evaluate the information in the Celebrex warning to determine the best course of action to ensure your health and safety. If you experience any side effects while taking Celebrex it is important to notify your doctor as soon as possible.

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 warnings.

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.