Celebrex - Possible Lawsuits?
By Aaron Larson
Law Offices of Aaron Larson
December, 2004
A Product Liability Case Study
Celebrex (Celecoxib) is a COX-2 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) developed by Pfizer, Inc., which is used to treat symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain, and primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramping). The use of NSAID's is associated in some patients with serious problems from stomach ulcers, including bleeding. NSAID medications are also associated with liver damage in some patients. Controversy over this class of drugs has recently increased, following the recall of Vioxx (which is in the same class of drugs) from the market.
As with Vioxx, some of the biggest historic complaints about Celebrex relate not to its safety, but to cost-effectiveness. Some argue that the drugs in this class are overprescribed for treatment of pain which could be managed at least as well with older, less costly medications. Further. unlike Vioxx, Celebrex is not associated with a reduction in the incidence of gastric ulcers.
Concerns over Celebrex have been increased by the results of a recent National Cancer Institute study on the prevention of certain types of cancer. Patients in the clinical trial taking 400 to 800 milligrams of Celebrex had a significantly increased risk of heart attacks, as compared to patients receiving a placebo. Those doses, administered over a 32 month period, significantly exceed the amount which would typically be prescribed for pain management. Pfizer insists that Celebrex can be safely prescribed.
Due to the significant variation in the law governing liability over defective products, when selecting a lawyer, it is usually a good idea to seek representation from a lawyer with experience handling this type of case.
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