Originally published January 19 2005
The bad news keeps coming for the painkillers
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
With the news that Vioxx, Celebrex, Bextra, and Aleve all cause an increase in the risk of heart disease and stroke, there doesn't seem to be any good news for people who use painkillers, such as arthritis sufferers. Vioxx started the deluge when Merck announced it was pulling it off the shelves. Then Celebrex and Bextra followed suit and now Aleve has come under suspicion. One has to wonder, will this ever end?
Arthritis patients have been under intense pressure lately and it has more to do with heart problems associated with a variety of painkillers as opposed to arthritis itself, and it all started with the recall of Vioxx.
For example, the US Food and Drug Administration says Pfizer's Celebrex and Bextra, both Cox-2 inhibitors, should be reserved for patients at high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
The agency issued the advisory after Celebrex was shown to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes by more than three times during a high dose cancer trial.
Vioxx, also a Cox-2 inhibitor, was withdrawn from the market by Merck in September when a study showed it increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes by two times, compared with a placebo.
Aleve, with the active ingredient Naproxen, available over-the-counter in the US, was also associated with increased heart risks recently.
The FDA advisory also include a warning to patients taking this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
The FDA said consumers taking Aleve should strictly follow label instructions and not exceed recommended doses.
The FDA also warned people not to take the drug for more than 10 days, unless instructed to do so by a physician.
The entire issue over drug safety emerged earlier this year when Vioxx, one of the most effective arthritis medications was associated with major cardiovascular events.
For the past three months arthritis patients have seen their drug options dwindle to a point where some people suffering from arthritis have refused to take any medication for their pain.
The FDA is advising doctors to weigh the benefits against risks when prescribing Cox-2 inhibitors for their patients.
However, many people suffering with arthritis have lost faith in the system.
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