Bextra litigation concerns continue to grow as the Public Citizen consumer group urged the FDA to immediately ban Pfizer’s Bextra from the market January 24, 2005.
"After Vioxx’s recall, and potentially massive litigation issues as a result, Pfizer reassured the public of the safety of its two remaining drugs on the market. Safety concerns regarding cardiovascular effects among the entire class of drugs were raised, causing many experts and patients to question the risks of taking Bextra and Celebrex.
In mid-January 2005, new data linking Bextra to increased risks for heart attack and strokes suggested a danger among all COX-2 inhibitors did exist. Celebrex warnings had been issued just a month prior, linking its use also to an increase in cardiovascular events. Within months, a highly popular class of drugs that millions of people used was suddenly linked to life-threatening cardiovascular events, and confused patients began inquiring about Bextra litigation."
"Bexra Litigation" Online Lawyer Source. Online. 9 September 2005.
Bextra is a drug used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and painful menstruation and menstrual symptoms.
It is manufactured and marketed by Pfizer, Inc.
Bextra was withdrawn from the US market on April 7th, 2005 on recommendation by the FDA.
Bextra is one of three federally approved COX-2 inhibitor drugs used by millions worldwide as an arthritis painkiller and for other illnesses.
Merck & Co.’s Vioxx, withdrawn in September 2004, and Celebrex are the other two drugs in the COX-2 class.