What is Bextra?

Bextra (Valdecoxib) was brought to the market in late 2001 by Pfizer as one of a new class of painkillers. Bextra is a member of a class of drugs called COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. These painkillers were developed to be more effective at stopping pain while being gentler on the stomach than existing painkillers such as Aleve. However, new evidence has come to light that suggests the dangers posed by COX-2 inhibitors may far outweigh any benefits.

Bextra works by blocking the COX-2 enzyme that is thought to contribute to pain and inflammation. It specifically does NOT block the COX-1 enzyme, which protects the stomach lining from acids, making it easier to digest. However, the role of these enzymes in the body is not fully known. It is also thought that the COX-1 enzyme encourages blood clotting while the COX-2 enzyme inhibits clotting. Drugs like Bextra that block COX-2 enzymes and allow COX-1 enzymes are now thought to increase blood clotting, an excess of which can lead to coronary events like heart attacks and strokes.

On January 17, the journal Circulation published a report on its website with evidence linking ALL COX-2 inhibitors with increased risk of heart attack and stroke, according to the Washington Post.

The study was lead by Dr. Garret FitzGerald, a cardiologist and pharmacologist at the University of Pennsylvania who has taken a leading role in demonstrating the risks of COX-2 inhibitor Bextra. He and his research team gave mice a COX-2 inhibitor similar to Celebrex and, according to Kaisernetwork.org, "observed 'dangerously unstable' deposits of plaque, which makes artery walls more likely to repture and activate clotting and could lead to a heart attack or stroke in humans". Dr. Fitzgerald noted that "the earliest evidence of cardiovascular risks associated with COX-2 drugs also came from animal experiments."

Although Bextra's manufacturer Pfizer claimed that Bextra was chemically different than COX-2 inhibitor Vioxx and did not present the same heart-related risks, Dr. FitzGerald presented data in November 2004 proving that patients taking Bextra have a 2.19 times greater risk of experiencing a severe coronary event such as a heart attack, stroke or death.

If you or a loved one have taken Bextra and have experienced any side effects, including blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, sudden death or severe skin reactions, contact us immediately at 800-966-4999 and see why our law firm has recovered over $100 million on behalf of our clients.

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