Dr. Mercola October 20 2004 1,081 views
Since Vioxx's removal from the market, safety concerns on other drugs in its class, known as COX-2 inhibitors, have been raised.
With an estimated 30,000 to 100,000 Vioxx users having adverse side effects, including heart attacks and strokes, it's no wonder researchers are concerned with the use of similar drugs in its class.
In regard to this estimate, the president of Merck chose not to comment. However, a company spokesperson claimed the results were inaccurate, saying it is impossible to base data from one study to account for all Vioxx users.
One drug in particular under surveillance is Celebrex, made by Pfizer. This drug, along with Vioxx, has been among the widest prescribed medications in the United States.
Studies on the mechanics of COX-2 inhibitors have led researchers to believe that drugs like Celebrex will have similar adverse side effects and should be noted as "risky." In fact, some signs of increased cardiovascular risks have already been detected in clinical trials of COX-2 inhibitors.
On the other hand, the vice president of Pfizer explained that clinical trials have indicated that Celebrex does not reflect the same cardiovascular side effects as Vioxx. He further explained that although the two drugs are in the same class, each is in a subclass of its own with different chemical structures and safety profiles.
Some researchers suggest it is time for the FDA to step up and take control of the situation by adjusting its guidance to patients and doctors based on this new information. They further claim the FDA should have taken a more aggressive role in making sure Vioxx and other COX-2 drugs were safe, considering the risks brought to public's attention in 2000 on using Vioxx.
Washington Post October 7, 2004
We've heard from the drug company manufacturing these deadly painkillers, but little to nothing from the FDA. Many, including myself, are left wondering where was the FDA in all of this was and why did they drag their feet for so long?
An article sent to me by one of my colleagues, Dr. Douglass focused on this very issue and provided some insightful answers.
In the article, Dr. David Graham, top research expert, revealed some compelling comments as to how he was silenced by the FDA:
After the FDA reviewed Graham's presentation showing that high doses of the drug over a long period of time presented cardiovascular risks, they "killed" his findings from being released.
Graham was under intense pressure, exclusion and intimidation by members of the FDA for raising a red flag about the safety of Vioxx.
In case you've forgotten, the market for pain relievers is about $10 BILLION per year. Anytime you deal with numbers that large there will inevitably be corruption, greed and negative influences.
The point to take home here and if you're a regular reader of my newsletter you've heard me say time and again, using drugs as temporary bandages to cure symptoms rather than the root cause of your problems does far more harm than good. The Vioxx case is a crystal clear example of this.
Here are the alternatives I recommend to taking anti-inflamatories:
Vioxx, Celebrex and all the other anti-inflammatories like aspirin and other drugs in its class work by preventing inflammation. However, you can create your own anti-inflammatory just by changing the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in your diet. There are dozens and dozens of studies, which clearly demonstrate the truth behind this. Even traditional medicine has firmly embraced these concepts.
That is why one of the most effective, easy and foundational ways to treat pain is to start taking a high quality fish oil (cod liver oil) and to eliminate sugar from your diet.
I recommend, above almost any other addition to everyone's diet -- from infants to seniors and every age in between -- fish oil and cod liver oil. I have researched and tried many fish oil brands, and the two I recommend most highly are Living Fuel's Omega 3 & E with Tocotrienols/Tocopherols, and the Carlson's brand of fish oil and cod liver oil.
I review many controversial topics, but there is no disagreement on this one, virtually everyone acknowledges that omega-3 fats play a crucial role in arthritis. If you need guidelines on how to use them please review my comments on Dr. Connor's excellent article.
For severe rheumatoid arthritis, I have found my revision of Dr. Brown's protocol useful in producing remission in more than 3,000 patients with RA I have cared for over the past several years.
Related Articles:
Painkillers Inhibit Bone Healing Painkillers Increase Risk of Miscarriage Celebrex Does Not Reduce Risk of Ulcer How Vioxx and Celebrex Increase Your Risk of Heart Attack Vioxx and Celebrex (Cox-2 Inhibitors) May Affect Kidneys
Painkillers Inhibit Bone Healing
Painkillers Increase Risk of Miscarriage
Celebrex Does Not Reduce Risk of Ulcer
How Vioxx and Celebrex Increase Your Risk of Heart Attack
Vioxx and Celebrex (Cox-2 Inhibitors) May Affect Kidneys