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CELEBREX
Celebrex was approved by the FDA on December 31, 1998, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and, on December 23, 1999, as a drug treatment aimed at reducing the number of intestinal polyps in patients with a rare genetic disorder called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) that, if left untreated, always develops into colon cancer. Celebrex is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Celebrex (chemical name: celecoxib) is one of the first drugs classified as selective COX-2 inhibitors that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
COX-2 inhibitors work by limiting the formation of inflammation, which is a common component of many forms of back pain and neck pain. Celebrex is commonly prescribed by physicians for arthritis pain (i.e. osteoarthritis) and different types of pain associated with swelling.
Celebrex works by preventing the formation of "inflammatory" prostaglandins. These compounds are produced by the enzyme "cyclooxygenase 2," commonly referred to as "Cox-2," and are believed to cause pain and inflammation, as well as prevent blood cells from sticking together. Unlike other NSAIDs, Celebrex does not also block a second enzyme, commonly called "Cox-1," which monitors and maintains stomach tissue. Since this enzyme protects the stomach lining, Celebrex has been promoted as being able to reduce pain and inflammation without also causing ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Recent studies however have found that Celebrex raises the risk of heart attack when taken in high dosages.
The National Cancer Institute suspended the use of Celebrex after discovering that patients on the higher doses, 400 to 800 mg/day, had a 2.5 times higher risk of heart attack and associated cardiovascular.
View the FDA's information page on COX-2 & Non-Selective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Khorrami Pollard & Abir, LLP, is currently prosecuting individual and class action cases involving Celebrex.
For further information and a free consultation, please contact us either electronically or by telephone.
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