Dr. Mercola March 09 2005 983 views
When popular painkiller drug Vioxx was pulled from the market after being found to double cardiovascular risks, Pfizer, maker of the rival arthritis medicine Celebrex, took a brave step. In fact, Pfizer was so confident in their drug that they ran a 4,000-patient study to see if Celebrex could prevent heart attacks.
What a mistake. For in a meeting, 32 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisors unanimously voted that Celebrex actually increases the risk of heart attack and stroke--prompting Pfizer to change their tune. Now, instead of attempting to prove a heart benefit, a new plan of action has surfaced: To compare the most commonly used dose of Celebrex to another anti-inflammatory pill in hopes to prove it poses no greater risk for the heart than similar drugs. To find the answer to this question a trial will be conducted, involving at least 20,000 patients at high risk for heart attacks.
A Likely Comparison
During a prior FDA panel meeting, FDA advisors recommend that Celebrex be branded with a black box warning, the FDA's harshest label. However, some suggest the warning could be removed if the trial shows Celebrex does not cause more increased cardiovascular risks than other drugs do.
One cardiologist on the panel suggested weighing Celebrex against naproxen--the active ingredient in Bayer's Aleve--as it is a likely comparator. A comparator must be the medicine least likely to cause heart problems among rival treatments. While naproxen has been considered a likely choice, no final decision has been made. Other comparator candidates include:
Further, in light of Celebrex's questioned credibility, it has been estimated that Celebrex sales will drop 47 percent in 2005, to $1.75 billion; Bextra, a related drug, sales could possibly drop about $400 million.
Forbes.com February 23, 2005
Pfizer's efforts to increase their market share backfired big time here. This is further evidence that the shift is starting to occur. Pfizer is the largest drug company in the world, so if their approach is backfiring it bodes well for the eventual shift of the entire system.
The primary take home message from reading this article (and others I've posted on my site) is that painkilling drugs are rarely necessary. Why take the risk of serious side effects from anti-inflammatories when there are equally effective, less expensive natural options?
Probably one of the most important ways to reduce your inflammation and eliminate pain is to remove sugar from your diet and for most of us that also includes all grains. You will likely be shocked at how this simple strategy may provide you with such amazing relief. However, if eliminating sugar and grains doesn't provide you with relief, then the following natural solutions, described in one of my past articles, will--without raising your risk of heart attacks and strokes as seen with painkillers.
Seven Ways to Protect Your Heart With Anti-Inflammatory Alternatives
Fish Oils: The omega-3 fats EPA and DHA in fish oil have been found, by many animal and clinical studies, to have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce joint inflammation and promote joint lubrication.
Boswellia: Also known as boswellin or "Indian frankincense," this herb contains specific active anti-inflammatory ingredients, referred to as boswellic acids that animal studies have shown significantly reduce inflammation.
Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO): This oil, found in fish and dairy butter, acts as a "joint lubricant" and an anti-inflammatory. This factor has been found to be highly effective in reversing arthritis and protects against calcification of joints.
Bromelain: This enzyme, found in pineapples, is a natural anti-inflammatory. It can be taken in supplement form, but eating fresh pineapple may also be helpful.
Evening Primrose, Black Currant and Borage Oils: These contain the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which is useful for treating arthritic pain. These are the exception to omega-6 fats that are necessary to have in your diet.
Cayenne Cream: Also called capsaicin cream, this spice comes from dried hot peppers. It alleviates pain by depleting the body's supply of substance P, a chemical component of nerve cells that transmits pain signals to the brain.
Ginger: This herb is an anti-inflammatory that offers pain relief and stomach-settling properties. Fresh ginger works well steeped in boiling water as a tea or grated into vegetable juice.
Note: It is important that you find a knowledgeable health care professional that understands natural medicine, to develop the best combination of herbal alternatives for you.
In addition, making sure you eat according to your metabolic type is an absolutely amazing tool to reduce pain, especially when combined with an effective energy psychology tool like the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), which can address previous emotional traumas that cause bioelectrical short circuiting, prompting your body toward immune dysfunction and even chronic pain.
Related Articles:
After Vioxx Recall, Other Drugs Under the Microscope No More Celebrex Ads: FDA Orders Them Off the Air Drug Giant Admits Another Arthritis Painkiller Increases Heart Risks In Light of Vioxx, Bextra Getting A Closer Look Vioxx and Celebrex Overprescribed to Millions of Americans Celebrex and Bextra's Risk Up -- Seven Alternatives To Bring Your Risk & Pain Down
After Vioxx Recall, Other Drugs Under the Microscope
No More Celebrex Ads: FDA Orders Them Off the Air
Drug Giant Admits Another Arthritis Painkiller Increases Heart Risks
In Light of Vioxx, Bextra Getting A Closer Look
Vioxx and Celebrex Overprescribed to Millions of Americans
Celebrex and Bextra's Risk Up -- Seven Alternatives To Bring Your Risk & Pain Down