Bextra®

Bextra® is a COX-2 inhibitor (an anti-inflammatory in the same class as Vioxx®) prescribed to treat those suffering from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and menstrual cramping. Pfizer Inc. manufactures Bextra®.

On November 9, 2004, at American Heart Association Conference, Dr. Garret A. Fitzgerald, a cardiologist and pharmacologist at the University of Pennsylvania, presented preliminary results of a study linking Pfizer’s painkiller Bextra® to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The study, which pooled data from 5,930 patients taking part in 12 trials, found that patients who took Bextra® were more than two times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those patients who were given a placebo (sugar pill). Dr. Fitzgerald said of the results, “This is a time bomb waiting to go off.”

On November 10, 2004, the New York Times reported that a new safety study had established a link between Bextra® and serious side effects, including heart attack and stroke.

On October 15, 2004, Pfizer Inc. said that two small clinical trials showed heart bypass surgery patients taking Bextra® had a higher risk of stroke and heart attack.

The FDA approved Bextra® treat arthritis pain, but surprisingly Bextra® has not been proven to alleviate pain any better than older, cheaper medicines like ibuprofen or naproxen. Nor has Bextra® been proven to be any safer to the stomach than those drugs.

Currently, Phillips Law Group is actively investigating injury claims on behalf of injured Bextra® users. If you or a loved one has suffered damaging side effects as a result of taking Bextra® contact the personal injury attorneys at any one of our Arizona office immediately to discuss your legal rights.

To learn more about Bextra and the side effects, please visit: www.nationalbextralawyer.com

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