What Are The Alternatives To Vioxx?
By Michael Monheit, Esquire, Monheit Law, PC, Fri Dec 9th

With the withdrawal of Vioxx from the pharmaceutical market,doctors and patients are left scrambling for alternatives toVioxx.

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR INFORMATION ON MEDICATIONS ANDALTERNATIVES TO VIOXX.

The below is only informational, and is not offered as medicaladvice! Only your doctor can determine what pain killers will beright for you.

Vioxx is a prescription COX-2 selective, non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that was approved by the FDA inMay 1999 for the relief of osteoarthritis, for menstrualsymptoms, and the management of acute pain in adults. Painrelievers called NSAIDs, work against two enzymes -- COX-1 andCOX-2 -- that frequently cause inflammation and pain. Cox-1 isfound in the stomach and Vioxx and its alternatives that attackit often cause upset stomachs and ulcers. Vioxx and Vioxxalternatives are known as a class of drugs called COX-2inhibitors attack that sole enzyme, minimizing stomach sideeffects.

Are other alternatives to Vioxx safe? COX-2 drugs have thetendency to raise blood pressure, but only Vioxx has been linkedto a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and othercardiovascular problems. Although there is now study showingthat some alternatives to Vioxx also cause heart problems. Forexample, the study released in October 2004 regarding Bextra andheart surgery patients.

Two COX-2 inhibitor alternatives to Vioxx are sold in the U.S. –Celebrex and Bextra. However, the safety has of thesealtnernatives to Vioxx been questioned. Drug manufacturers –Pharmacia and Pfizer have huge advertising budgets and sales inthe millions.

Bextra, an alternative to Vioxx, also known as Valdecoxib, wasapproved by the

FDA in 2001 for the treatment of pain,tenderness, and swelling caused by osteoarthritis and adultrheumatoid arthritis. In some people, especially those withallergies to sulfonamides, this alternative to Vioxx has shownside effects could prove fatal.

Originally, side effects of this alternative to Vioxx includedstandard ailments such as stomach pain, diarrhea, heartburn,back pain, headache, nausea, and upper respiratory infection. InNovember 2002, the FDA increased adverse reactions to includeserious and life-threatening skin diseases such as StevensJohnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and exfoliativedermatitis. When the FDA made its new warnings about the Bextraalternative to Vioxx, an estimated 800,000 to one million peoplehad taken Bextra since it first went on sale.

Celebrex, another alternative to Vioxx, boasted that it didn’tcreate the heart problems that Vioxx does. Celebrex is nopanacea as it may cause bleeding stomach ulcers. None of theCOX-2 alternatives to Vioxx are without risks and could possiblybe more life threatening than the conditions they are meant totreat.

Non-prescription alternatives to Vioxx include aspirin,ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). Another kind of painreliever, acetaminophen (Tylenol), can also be used. The priceof alternatives to Vioxx is far less than Vioxx, Celebrex, andBextra.

Natural alternatives to Vioxx may include a combination ofimproved nutritional choices, reasonable exercise and physicaltherapies, and acupuncture.

About the author:Michael Monheit, Esquire is the managing attorney for MonheitLaw. The practice is focuses on plaintiff personal injury casesand Vioxx Lawyers info can be found at Vioxx Lawyer - Monheit Law