Opinions pro and against the usage of the drug named Bextra
by Groshan Fabiola
In octomber 2004, because it was found that the painkiller Vioxx, which belongs to the class of drugs called Cox-2 inhibitors increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, it was recalled from the market. Some studies that were made by a researcher got to the conclusion that Bextra, another painkiller, increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes even more than Vioxx, but Bextra's produce
r said that the conclusions are irrelevant. There were observed heart bypass surgery patients and arthritis patients, and it was seen that those who took Bextra presented a risk for heart attacks and strokes more than twice as high then the patients who didn't take that drug. However, it seems that the problem with increased risk for heart attacks and strokes applies to the whole class of drugs that Bextra and Vioxx belong to. This class of drugs is called Cox-2 inhibitors, and it also contains the drug named Celebrex. Especially after the withdrawal of Vioxx, it came even more in attention that is very possible for Bextra to develop risks just as studies found. It is important that patients with heart disease to be advised by a doctor of the risk these drugs can bring, the doctor must tell them what are the benefits and the risks associated with Cox-2 inhibitors.
Although studies found that there are risks of heart attacks and strokes for patients using Bextra, especially if there are heart bypass surgery patients and arthritis patients that use that drug, the producer of Bextra replied that the conclusions of the study are irrelevant. Bextra's manufacturer also said that the conclusions of the study are unsubstantiated, they shouldn't be taken in serious, especially because they haven't been published in a medical journal. It was also said that there was an earlier analysis of arthritis patients, and the conclusion was that Bextra doesn't show an increased risk of heart attack or stroke collated to anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen or naproxen, or to placebo.
There are two different camps, one that tries to convince that Bextra does no present risks, and other that sustains the contrary. However, it is set that in February 2005, the safety of all Cox-2 inhibitors will be rewieved.
Meanwhile, it is very important for all patients to be careful, to talk with the doctor about the benefits and the risks that can occur if they use Cox-2 inhibitors, and of course, heart bypass surgery patients and arthritis patients should be even more cautious. Also, if there appear any symptoms or signs that the patient thinks may come from the Cox-2 inhibitors intake, the doctor should be called at once.
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