Regular, long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy, including the new COX-2 (cyclooxygenase) inhibitor types, should be closely monitored by a physician, according to a new study.
Researchers compared the effects of rofecoxib and indomethacin on 75 patients aged 60 to 80 years who were on sodium-restricted diets.
Although the COX-2 drug, rofecoxib (Vioxx) is considered safer than the older NSAIDs, researchers found that it can negatively affect kidney function at about the same rate as the older NSAID indomethacin (Indocin).
Both drugs significantly decreased the kidney's ability to filter waste products.
Researchers state that these effects on the kidneys are likely to apply to the entire class of medications (e.g., Celebrex).
This last item is most important because this includes such a large segment of the population.
Annals of Internal Medicine 2000;133:1-9.
Celebrex is the most commonly prescribed NSAID (at least on cost) in the country. It appears to cause less people to die from a bleeding ulcer but it can adversely affect prostaglandin metabolism, thus increasing one's risk for heart disease.
Points to glean from this:
Newer is not necessarily better, especially when it comes to drugs.
People who take new classes of medications are basically guinea pigs, since these drugs are not pre-market tested on large enough populations to uncover all potential complications
It is much better to attempt to address the source of the problem, rather than just treating the symptoms
Related Article:
NSAIDs May Harm Kidneys of Elderly