Cox 2 Inhibitors, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, and Other Arthritis Drugs

Arthritis is a painful, degenerative disease of the joints. It is characterized by chronic joint inflammation, and in some cases, degeneration of the cartilage that covers and cushions the ends of the bones. There is no cure for arthritis - of which there are more than 100 types - but there are a number of drugs that can treat symptoms. These include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), COX-2 inhibitors, corticosteroids, glucosamine, and chondroitin. While some of these arthritis drugs have been deemed more dangerous than others, such as Vioxx and Bextra®, which was voluntarily recalled by its manufacturer, Merck & Co Inc., in late September 2004, all have been determined to have adverse side effects. Before taking any arthritis drug, it is imperative that you see your doctor for a thorough medical evaluation.

Types of Arthritis Drugs

The main types of arthritis drugs include:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are strong painkillers intended to treat chronic, intense pain, particularly that associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. But for all their pain-relieving capabilities, for some people NSAIDs have done more harm than good. NSAIDs can cause a myriad of health problems, ranging from intestinal bleeding, stomach ulcers, and stomach bleeding to heart complications, liver damage, and kidney damage.

One example of an arthritis drug causing such problems is Vioxx, which was voluntarily recalled by its manufacturer, Merck & Co., after a study linked it to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other side effects.

Contact one of our national arthritis drug lawyers if you have taken Vioxx or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and been subsequently harmed.

Cox 2 Inhibitor Drugs

Cox 2 inhibitor drugs are a new class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) intended to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation by blocking the production of Cox 2 enzymes in the body. They are an alternative to traditional NSAIDs, which block not only Cox 2 enzymes but also COX 1 enzymes, which coat and protect the stomach; traditional NSAIDs are said to irritate some users' stomachs.

COX 2 inhibitor drugs are used to treat various types of arthritis, but some these arthritis drugs have been shown to cause serious side effects, such as increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Contact one of our national arthritis drug lawyers if you have taken a COX 2 inhibitor drug or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and been subsequently harmed.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is found in hundreds of over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol and St. Joseph's aspirin, and is used to treat minor aches, pains, and fever. It is also used to treat mild cases of arthritis. While acetaminophen is believed to be safe when taken as directed, it has been linked to a number of serious side effects, including acute liver failure and acetaminophen toxicity.

Contact an arthritis drugs attorney if you have taken acetaminophen and been subsequently harmed.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are used to reduce the swelling and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. They work by hindering the immune response, thereby blocking pain. Corticosteroids, however, can cause numerous problems, ranging from osteoporosis, glaucoma, and cataracts to mental changes, abnormal blood glucose levels, and arrested growth in children. These arthritis drugs can also be physically addictive and lead to serious withdrawal symptoms.

Contact one of our national arthritis drug lawyers if you have taken a COX 2 inhibitor drug or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and been subsequently harmed.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Glucosamine and chondroitin are supplements used to treat mild to moderate arthritis. Both occur naturally in the body but can be extracted from shellfish shells or shark cartilage and marketed as nutritional supplements. Glucosamine aids in cartilage formation and regeneration while chondroitin helps keep cartilage elastic.

While the arthritis drugs glucosamine and chondroitin are available over the counter and are deemed to be relatively safe, women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant are advised to avoid them, while diabetics and those patients on blood thinners should use extra precaution.

Contact a medical professional to learn more about glucosamine or chondroitin, or contact one of our national arthritis drug lawyers for more information.

Arthritis Drug Side Effects

All drugs carry the risk of side effects and arthritis drugs are no exception. Possible side effects of arthritis drugs include:

• Stomach ulcers
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Kidney damage
• Liver damage
• Hypertension
• Cataracts

To learn more about arthritis drug side effects, visit our side effects page.

FDA Action

In 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) denied requests made by manufacturers of the arthritis drugs Celebrex® and Vioxx® to remove from their labels warnings about the risk of stomach ulcers.

In March 2002, Public Citizen submitted a petition to the FDA asking for the immediate recall of the prescription arthritis drug Arava®. The FDA is taking the petition under advisement.

Bextra®, too, has recently garnered national attention. It is possible that the drug may be recalled. For more information about arthritis drugs, including COX 2 inhibitor drugs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, contact one of our national arthritis drugs lawyers.

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