Celebrex And Heart Attacks/Strokes
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Arthritis is a medical condition that affects millions of Americans. Arthritis causes a breakdown of the cartilage around joints; when this happens bones in joints can rub together, causing pain, stiffness, and slow movements. Osteoarthritis affects the largest percentage of people with an arthritis condition, affecting nearly 27 million Americans. This type of arthritis typically affects only certain joints, such as hips, hands, knees, the lower back, and the neck. When people have arthritis, it can significantly impact the activities they are able to do, from routine tasks, to work, and more, as well as their quality of life.
Celebrex is a very profitable prescription medication from the pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer, aimed at relieving arthritis pain and other types of inflammation. On average, in one month over 1 million prescriptions for Celebrex are filled. Celebrex is classified as a drug that uses COX-2 inhibitors (meaning the drug targets the enzyme that leads to inflammation), as well as being a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The particular benefit that is associated with medications such as this is that they have less risk of gastrointestinal conditions, such as ulcers in the intestine or stomach or bleeding.
However, despite the positive benefits Celebrex has for arthritis treatment, has also associated with a number of side effects, some of which are very serious. Mild side effects of Celebrex include stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Serious side effects of Celebrex include heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure from fluid retention, kidney problems (including kidney failure), stomach and intestinal bleeding and ulcers, anemia, life-threatening skin reactions, life-threatening allergic reactions, liver problems (including liver failure), and asthma attacks in individuals who have asthma. While the benefits of Celebrex may not be outweighed by the mild side effects, the serious side effects of the drug are another issue.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) organized committees in 2005 to examine Celebrex and similar drugs, which use COX-2 inhibitors, to see whether they needed stronger warnings, better research, or if they just needed to be taken off the market altogether. Certain other similar drugs, including Vioxx and Bextra, were taken off the market in 2004.
The fact is that all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs create some risk for damage to the cardiovascular system. This is even true of aspirin and ibuprofen. But Celebrex seems, to many scientists, to be excessively risky. The FDA has required the manufacturers of Celebrex to inform patients of the risks of Celebrex, particularly the fact that there is a potential increased risk of cardiovascular complications associated with the medication that can cause serious injury or can be life-threatening. The American Heart Association declared that Celebrex should be prescribed only as an absolute last resort to patients with existing heart disease or who were already at risk for heart disease and that it be administered, when necessary, in the lowest recommended dosage. The Pfizer corporation recommends that Celebrex should only be used exactly as prescribed, at the lowest possible dosage, for the shortest duration necessary.
If you or someone you love suffered from a serious injury, such as a heart attack or stroke, or a loved one died as the result of taking Celebrex, it is recommended you speak with an attorney. An attorney will determine whether or not the statute of limitations to present a case has expired, as well as if you have a viable case. In the event that you do, your lawyer will help you establish your case and pursue compensation for medical expenses, as well as for the pain and suffering you endured as a result of your injury.
