What Doctors Don't Tell YouThe withdrawal of a drug from the market would hardly seem grounds for Christmas cheer, but it may be simply an indication that the winds of change are finally upon us.
Rofecoxib is one of the new breed of anti-inflammatories known as COX-2 (cyclo-oxygenase-2) inhibitors that are supposed to be safer than NSAIDs such as aspirin.
THE COX-2s: Oh well, back to the drawing board
The drugs industry has, for years, enjoyed a protected and privileged position that has allowed it to kill sections of its market with impunity. Sadly, those heady days seem to be coming to an end, at least in the United States.
Once upon a time there were arthritis drugs known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), but they caused gastrointestinal problems, such as ulcers.
COX-2 AGAIN: Sorry, we haven’t finished with you yet
For years, non-specific anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and paracetamol (acetaminophen) were the medications of choice for joint pain. But NSAIDs quickly became COX-2 inhibitors associated with adverse gastrointestinal effects such as peptic...
Which drugs are COX-2 inhibitors? All NSAIDs, even those not classed specifically as COX-2 inhibitors, can act to inhibit COX-2 in the body (J Rheumatol, 1998; 25: 2298-302; FASEB J, 1998; 12: 1063-73).
The COX (cyclooxygenase)-2 inhibitors, also known as ‘selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs’ (NSAIDs), have long been touted as being safer for your stomach than painkillers such as aspirin and other NSAIDs. Indeed, they were designed to...
COX-2: Still bleeding after all these years
