News about Arthritis Drugs and Recent Vioxx® Cases

Arthritis Drugs FYI provides regular news updates about Vioxx and arthritis drug cases, including Celebrex®, Vioxx®, and Arava®. Read our abstracts and news articles below, then contact an arthritis drugs attorney to learn more.

Celebrex® Not Safer

An FDA advisory panel recommended in February that the manufacturer of the popular arthritis drug Celebrex® not be allowed to drop a label warning users that it increases their risk of developing stomach ulcers. In fact, since research showed that patients taking Celebrex® and aspirin together increased the rate of severe stomach ulcers, the panel recommended further investigation into the relationship between COX-2 inhibitors, the drug class to which Celebrex® belongs, and aspirin.

Celebrex® Concerns

Recent concerns about the arthritis drug Vioxx®, which has been linked to kidney and heart problems, have also sparked questions about rival drug Celebrex®. Both Vioxx® and Celebrex® are COX-2 inhibitors - a class of drugs that studies have shown to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Public Citizen Petitions FDA for Arava® Recall

Due to the deaths of 22 people, Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, has petitioned the FDA for the immediate recall of the prescription arthritis drug Arava®. FDA data shows that 12 of the deaths may be linked to liver damage and that there have been approximately 130 reports of liver toxicity. Public Citizen also claims that the drug may be linked to birth defects and hypertension. The FDA is currently taking the petition under advisement.

Vioxx® and Celebrex® No More Effective Than Acetaminophen

According to some experts, neither Vioxx® nor Celebrex® is any more effective in treating chronic pain than traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as acetaminophen. This information is particularly important now that Celebrex® has been linked to serious side effects and Vioxx® has been pulled from the market.

New Celebrex® Trial Planned to Verify Drug's Safety

In the wake of the September 2004 recall of Vioxx®, Pfizer, the manufacturer of Celebrex®, is set to launch a new clinical trial to verify the drug's safety. The study will evaluate the effect Celebrex® has on patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

Arthritis Drugs May Prevent Cancer

Some studies attest that arthritis drugs, such as Celebrex® and the recently recalled Vioxx®, may actually prevent the growth of brain tumors and perhaps other types of cancer.

Merck Attests It Didn't Know of Vioxx®'s Dangers Until September

Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co Inc. defended its decision to withdraw the popular arthritis drug Vioxx®, stating that conclusive evidence of the drug's dangers only surfaced in September 2004.

FDA Issues Public Health Advisory about Vioxx®

Shortly after Merck & Co Inc pulled Vioxx® from the shelves, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory to all those patients who had taken the drug.

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