VIOXX RECALL
As you probably know, the pharmaceutical company Merck has issued a recall on VIOXX because of its cardiovascular toxicity. Vioxx is in the class of drugs called Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Specifically, it is called a COX-2 inhibitor (also in this class are Celebrex and Bextra). All COX- 2 inhibitors are supposed cause fewer perforations, ulcers and bleeding as compared to the other NSAIDs. "In fact, all of the NSAIDs, including the COX-2 NSAIDs, carry essentially the same FDA- required warning about the risk of peforations, ulcers, and bleeding."

The following is the warning issued by the Public Citizen Health Research Group:
"WARNING
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug- (NSAID-) Induced Gastrointestinal Toxicity

All members of the NSAID family of drugs can cause gastrointestinal toxicity that can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and hospitalization or death. The risk of gastrointestinal toxicity from these drugs increases with increasing doses and the length of treatment.
If the following symptoms develop while you are taking an NSAID, stop the drug immediately and contact your doctor: severe abdominal or stomach pain, cramping, or burning, severe and continuing nausea, heartburn, or indigestion, bloody or black, tarry stools, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or spitting up blood."

Please talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the COX-2 inhibitors.
From Worst Pills Best Pills 9/04 p.65
See www.worstpills.org for more information.