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Naproxen Heart Attack

Potential naproxen heart attack risks were discovered in a recent clinical trial. The National Institutes of Heath initiated the ADAPT three year clinical trial in 2001 to test the effectiveness of both Naproxen and Celebrex in preventing Alzheimer's disease. This clinical trial was stopped shortly after it was discovered that patients in the naproxen group were twice as likely as other trial participants to suffer from naproxen heart attack or stroke. Naproxen heart attack risks were found to be greater than the Celebrex or placebo group risks, though the exact statistical significance of these naproxen heart attack cases has yet to be fully understood.

Further investigation of naproxen heart attack risks is currently underway as researchers, regulators, and doctors are working to determine if there is a significant long term cardiovascular risk associated with naproxen use. In the mean time, doctors are recommending that patients who are concerned about naproxen heart attack risks speak to their health care professionals about possible naproxen alternatives. Physicians also urge patients to take naproxen exactly as directed and speak to a doctor if they plan to take naproxen for more than ten consecutive days.

Evidence of potential naproxen heart attack risks follows a series of reports regarding the cardiovascular safety of other similar pain medications. Naproxen is the generic name for Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, and Naprelan which are found in the group of drugs known as original non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs were developed in the 1970s to reduce the pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by a variety of health conditions such as arthritis. Naproxen drugs and the other dozen of original NSAIDs have been associated with potentially serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Because of these side effect risks, the pharmaceutical industry began to design similar NSAIDs that would be as effective as traditional medications in treating pain, but would not increase a patient's chance of suffering gastrointestinal problems. In the late 1990s, prescription NSAIDs such as Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra became available on the market. Though these drugs had a lower instance of causing adverse gastrointestinal complications, cardiovascular risks soon became evident.

Vioxx was pulled from the market in September 2004 after researchers discovered that patients taking Vioxx for eighteen months were twice as likely as the general population to suffer heart attack or stroke. Studies indicate that people taking 400 milligrams or more of Celebrex may be at a similar risk. Bextra use may cause elevated cardiovascular risks in certain patient populations. These cardiovascular risks were first thought to be unique to Vioxx. It has also been postulated that these risks may be inherent to newer NSAIDs. With new evidence suggesting naproxen heart attack risks, the cardiovascular safety of all NSAID pain medications has been called into question. Regulators, researchers, and physicians worldwide are beginning to investigate the exact nature and extent of naproxen heart attack risks, and the long term cardiovascular safety of all NSAID pain medications.

If you are concerned about naproxen heart attack risks, please contact us to confer with a Naproxen Lawyer and learn your legal rights and options.

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