CELEBREX - The Pfizer, Inc. Cox-2 Inhibitor, Celecoxib, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) marketed as Celebrex. It is prescribed primarily as a treatment for arthritis, but other uses include treatment for ankylosing spondylitis, menstrual pain and hereditary colon polyps. Prescriptions for other conditions have also been documented.

Serious side effects may occur with the use of Celebrex including heart attack, stroke, blood clots, increased blood pressure, stomach bleeding and death. In light of the potentially deadly risks, two other Cox-2 Inhibitors—Vioxx, by Merck, and Bextra, by Pfizer—were FDA recalled in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

The FDA has instructed that package inserts for all NSAIDs, including Celebrex, be revised to include a warning about the potential for increased risk of cardiovascular events and life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding. The FDA has further recommended that physicians consider alternatives before prescribing Celebrex.

Deaths that may be linked to Celebrex were reported within the first three months the drug was on the market and serious adverse events continue to be submitted to the FDA. As reported in the Boston Globe in 2007, Dr. David Graham, an FDA drug safety reviewer, testified in deposition for Vioxx lawsuits that, “There is no question in my mind” that drugs like Celebrex increase heart attack risk “from the first tablet.”

Elderly patients may be at greater risk of gastrointestinal events such as bleeding, ulceration and perforation of the stomach, which can be fatal. Celebrex is also contraindicated for pain treatment following coronary artery bypass.

Some danger signs that may indicate a serious problem with Celebrex include, but are not limited to:

• chest pain or shortness of breath 
• slurred speech or problems with vision or balance 
• bloody or tarry stools 
• less frequent urination 
• nausea, stomach pain or loss of appetite 
• bruising, tingling, numbness or muscle weakness 
• blistering or peeling skin rash

If you or someone you know has taken Celebrex and experienced commonly recognized, or unexplained side effects, use the form below for a free evaluation with an attorney who specializes in Celebrex cases. Unsafe drug cases are complex and guidance by an attorney who is intimately familiar with the drug is crucial.

Do not discontinue taking any medication without discussing it with your doctor, but if you have safety concerns about using Celebrex, our free evaluation may provide important information. 

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