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Patients using
Celebrex, the arthritis drug designed to avoid ulcers, had
a 5 percent chance of suffering more bleeding from their ulcers,
according to a new study.
Celebrex, as well
as Vioxx, are painkillers called COX-2 inhibitors. Patients
taking older painkillers, known as noomega-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDS), often suffered from stomach-related side effects.
This newer class of drugs was designed to reduce these side
effects, however, debate has begun over whether the drugs
actually reduce the incidence of ulcers.
Moreover, insurance
companies are often reluctant to cover Celebrex and Vioxx,
as they are more expensive than other painkillers, such as
aspirin and ibuprofen, and have not been proven to kill pain
any better.
The study found
that among Celebrex patients, the chance of recurrent bleeding
over a six-month period was 4.9 percent, compared with a 6.4
percent rate for those taking the painkiller diclofenac in
addition to ulcer drug Prilosec.
Researchers concluded
that the difference between the two drugs was not great enough
to promote one over the other.
Celebrex has generally
gained popularity over Vioxx because of concerns that Vioxx
raises the risk of heart-related side effects among patients
taking the medicine.
Older painkillers
target two groups of proteins, COX-2 enzymes and COX-1 enzymes.
COX-1 enzymes protect the lining of the stomach, so Celebrex
and Vioxx are designed to target only COX-2, leaving COX-1
alone. The intended result was that this would help protect
the stomach lining.
The
Guardian December 24, 2002
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