Medicine Information Article:

Bextra and Vioxx - Alternative Medications Have Warnings, Too

At the urging of the Food and Drug Administration, the drugs Vioxx and Bextra have both been voluntarily withdrawn from the market by their manufacturers. Studies show that these drugs, part of a family of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) known as COX-2 inhibitors, may be linked to increased chances of heart attack or stroke.

Since these two drugs were heavily prescribed for treatment of arthritis pain and inflammation, many users have suddenly found themselves without their prescription medication and without relief. The automatic response to this might be to reach for a traditional anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Alternatively, patients may opt to take the lone remaining prescription drug in the COX-2 family of NSAIDs, Celebrex.

Before reaching for that over-the-counter pain reliever, patients would be well-advised to do some further research, or, on newer bottles, read the label. While the majority of the news reports regarding NSAIDs have covered Bextra and Vioxx, the FDA warnings include all NSAIDs, including the over-the-counter varieties, which include naproxen and ibuprofen. These drugs are now required to have a "black box" warning on the bottle, which outlines the fact that patients taking these medications may be at increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Many physicians in the medical profession are quick to point out that the warnings come as a result of a rather limited study, and that further studies are necessary to fully determine the degree of risk that one assumes when taking these medications. Such studies will be done, but in the meantime, the warnings on the label should not be taken lightly. Patients should be aware that taking such medications either in large doses or over prolonged periods of time could pose certain risks. As always, patients who have questions regarding these or any medications should consult with their physician.

©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.

Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including Bextra-Info.net, a site devoted to the withdrawn drug Bextra and StructuredSettlementHelp.com, a site devoted to structured settlements.

Raw Food For Better Health

A Good Raw Diet for Your Health - These days, we're seeing more and more instances of a variety of autoimmune disorders. Diseases like MS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and a host of others seem to be on the rise. Some say that it's merely due to better diagnostic tools; and others say that it's environmental factors: pollution and the foods we eat that are leading to more people being hit by these maladies.

The Undiscovered Secret For Safer Surgery

Surgery carries undeniable risks with it, no doubt about it. But the dangers of anesthesia, of cutting, drilling, and using lasers is nearly always overshadowed by the overwhelming benefits of the surgery. What if there were a simple, safe way to avoid many of these pitfalls by significantly decreasing the amount of anesthesia a patient needs in order to stay safe anesthetized? Well, there is!

Prescription Drugs Safety Tips

While prescription drugs are very effective treatments for many diseases, it's important to know that no drug, prescription or over-the-counter, is completely safe. While drugs are crucial for controlling or curing illness, many have significant side effects. Learn basic tips to help reduce potential risks and get the most benefit from a drug.

Personalized Medicine - The New Era, Genetic Assessments and You

This article briefly touches upon the fact that personalized medicine has always been a reality for health care practioners. In this day and age, knowledge of the human genome, genetics, DNA, and genetic propensities for illness has opened up a new door regarding personalized medicine and nutrition.

Which Drug is Most Frequently Implicated in Childhood Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis usually does not affect the full thickness of the wall of the large intestine and rarely affects the small intestine. I have seen the info on colitis just would like to see if there is anything else that can be done. The cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, and currently there is no cure, except through surgical removal of the colon.