Manufacturer Finally Admits Heart Risks With The Arthritis Drug Valdecoxib (BEXTRA)

Pfizer, Inc. of New York announced on October 15, 2004 the existence of a second clinical trial in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery that confirms an association between the use of their top-selling arthritis drug Bextra (valdecoxib) with an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events.

We reported on the first CABG study showing increased cardiovascular risk in the September 2004 Worst Pills, Best Pills News. Public access to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) reviews of this study were the result of a lawsuit we filed against the agency in February 2004.

Patients requiring CABG surgery are at a high risk of serious cardiovascular events because they have pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Bextra appears to contribute to heart attacks and strokes in this group of patients. Also, many patients who require drug treatment for their arthritis are older and may have existing or undetected cardiovascular disease that places them at a higher risk for serious cardiovascular events.

There is simply no reason why Bextra should be prescribed.

What You Can Do

If you are now taking Bextra contact your doctor. There is no medical reason why you should be taking this drug when safer and less expensive products such as Motrin (ibuprofen) or Naprosyn (naproxen) are available to manage arthritis.