Bextra

Bextra is an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat patients suffering from severe pain associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and primary dysmenorrhea. Bextras action on the body is similar to Vioxx, which has been recalled. Bextra warning concerns have been raised regarding the cardiovascular safety of taking the drug because of the similarities to Vioxx.

Dangers of Bextra

On April 7, 2005, the Food and Drug Administration requested that Pfizer suspend sales of BEXTRA (also known as Valdecoxib) in the United States. Further, the FDA is requiring all prescription anti-inflammatory arthritis medicines to provide additional information regarding cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risks.

The FDA’s requests were the result of a scientific study of 5,930 people which was recently presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association. That study found that patients who took Bextra were more than twice as likely to suffer heart attacks or stroke.

Bextra is indicated for the treatment of pain, tenderness and swelling caused by osteoarthritis and adult rheumatoid arthritis. Bextra lawsuits started to increase in late 2004 after a number of studies showed the cox-2 inhibitor may increase the incidence of heart attacks and strokes.

Pharmaceutical Litigation Attorneys at Bailey & Galyen have extensive experience in cases involving injury or wrongful death associated with prescription drugs. Contact us to set an appointment with an attorney to discuss your case.