Cox-II Inhibitors

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Injured by a Cox II Inhibitor drug?

COX II Inhibitors are a relatively new family of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). They are prescribed for the treatment of osteoarthritis, adult rheumatoid arthritis, and the pain associated with menstrual cramping. There is controversy surrounding the use of COX II inhibitors due to the drugs leading to an risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke and blood clots.

All NSAID drugs (even the newer ones like Vioxx and Bextra) cause irritation, ulceration, bleeding and perforation of the lining of the stomach and blood clotting. Merck's aggressive promotional campaign quickly boosted Vioxx into the top 20 U.S. drugs. It was among the drugs most heavily advertised to doctors and patients alike.  On September 30, 2004, following the announcement of study results showing that Vioxx users doubled their risk of heart attack and stroke, Merck abruptly pulled Vioxx from the world market. Days later, the Wall Street Journal reported on an analysis never made public by a safety official at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The study examined data on 1.4 million Kaiser Permanente members and found more than 27,000 heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths among Vioxx users.

Bextra has been linked to heart attack, stroke and the sometimes fatal skin disease Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). Reports indicate  that Bextra may be more likely to cause heart attacks and stroke than Vioxx. Pfizer added a black box warning to Bextra about Stevens Johnson Syndrome.  Ultimately, at the FDA's request, Bextra was pulled off the market on April 7, 2005.  Celebrex is also marketed by Pfizer and is the last COX II Inhibitor to remain on the market today.