Dangerous Products – Celebrex

Celebrex (or originally Celecoxib) is a controversial drug that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, acute pain, acute migraine headaches and menstrual pain and discomfort. Also Celebrex is used to reduce the number of intestinal polyps in patients with a rare genetic disorder called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), that if untreated develops into colon cancer. This drug is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (specifically a "COX-2 inhibitor") and it is prescribed to relieve pain and swelling. Celebrex is infamous for being associated with increased risk of heart attacks or strokes in patients who have taken the drug for long periods of time. Also the patients who have take the drug for a long time have suffered bleeding ulcers, liver damage, kidney problems leading to kidney failure, and fluid retention. It is manufactured by Pfizer Inc and it was introduced in Canada in 1999. This drug caught attention when a related medical Vioxx was withdrawn from the market in 2004. This event triggered a lot of action against Celebrex, still the drug experienced a short raise in sales. During the Vioxx trial it was claimed that Celebrex carries the similar chemicals and can cause similar problems, and that triggered a drop of Celebrex sales. Only in 2006 the situation became stable and Pfitzer continued the advertising of Celebrex again. The advertisements caused protests form the consumer advocacy groups, but at the moment Celebrex is allowed by the governmental Food and Drugs Act. In 2008 Pfitzer settled most of the Celebrex and Bextra (a similar drug, recalled in April 2005) lawsuits. While strongly linked to already banned Vioxx and Bextra there available research do not support the conclusion that Celebrex increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

 

In Canada Celebrex also has a strong opposition that resulted in a class action lawsuit in 2005 in British Columbia. The lawsuit was filled by Poyner Baxter laws firm, the same that conducted a lawsuit against Vioxx. The removal of Vioxx from the market caused enough ground to file a similar lawsuit against a similar drug – Celebrex. The law firm stated that the drug increases the risk of serious adverse cardiovascular complications like heart attack, stroke, angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, hematoma, irregular heartbeat, palpitation, premature ventricular contraction, tachycardia, venous insufficiency, cerebrovascular accident, congestive heart failure, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, transient ischemic attack, unstable angina, and occlusion. As in many lawsuits related to dangerous products the Poyner Baxter claims that Pfitzer knew about the negative effects of the drug, but continued to sell and market it. The current status of the lawsuit is still unclear, still Celebrex continues to be sold but with stronger warnings.

 

Today if you or your relatives are suffering from the effects of taking Celebrex you can always file a lawsuit and you will be backed by numerous anti-Celebrex organizations. The most important things for this lawsuit will be gathering medical data that proves that the person has taken Celebrex and that the person has the effects caused by this drug and finding a good lawyer of course.

 

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