Bextra
Bextra is a COX-2 inhibiting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat the crippling and devastating effects of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. It reduces inflammation of tissues without painful stomach and gastrointestinal problems that older pain relievers like aspirin caused. While initially Bextra was welcomed as a miracle drug, tests began to show there were serious problems with the drug.
Like other COX-2 Inhibitors Vioxx and Celebrex, Bextra use was shown to cause an unreasonable number of cardiovascular problems such as blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks. Also, because Bextra is a sulfa-based drug, it cased severe allergic reactions in some people. The most severe of which is called Stephen-Johnson's Syndrome, which causes a victim's body to break out in a severe rash that can spread throughout the body and can even be fatal.
The FDA ordered Pfizer to remove Bextra from American and European markets in order to prevent these deadly side effects from affecting more people. Unfortunately, damage had already been done. Because Bextra was one of the most prescribed drugs in the world, millions of people are now at risk of developing potentially life threatening conditions without their knowledge.
Bextra Side Effects
When Bextra was first introduced into the market in 2001, it was hailed as a miracle drug that would deliver all the benefits of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs without the accompanying gastrointestinal discomfort and distress. While it did in fact relieve inflammation and medium levels of pain, it was discovered that the use of the drug increased the occurrences of a number of potential dangerous side effects, including:
- Abdominal pain
- Flatulence
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
- Blood Clots
- Steven-Johnson's Syndrome - a skin disorder characterized by infected and irritated sub-dermal mucus membranes
- Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis - a potentially fatal skin reaction that causes skin cells to flake off and die in large chunks
Anyone who takes Bextra, or had taken the medication in the past, should report any of these dangerous effects to their doctor immediately.
Bextra News
Bextra has featured prominently in many news stories lately much to the chagrin of Pfizer Inc. Besides the numerous lawsuits against Pfizer on behalf of people who suffered the adverse side effects of Bextra use, now the Security and Exchange Commission is demanding Pfizer turn over records regarding Bextra in order to discover if there were any marketing discrepancies.
Bextra Lawsuits Filed Against Pfizer in New York
These following articles are some further examples of how Bextra has adversely affected the lives of people just like you. Contact a lawyer today if you have questions about the negative affects of Bextra use.
Three Bextra lawsuits were filed against Pfizer Inc. on behalf of three individuals who allegedly were injured by the pain relief drug, Bextra, the Philadelphia law firm Kline & Specter, P.C. announced Monday in a statement.
Two of the plaintiffs suffered heart attacks and one sustained a stroke after taking Bextra, attorneys for the plaintiffs stated.
Pfizer, the world's largest drug maker, suspended sales of Bextra in the United States and the European Union on Thursday after the Food and Drug Administration concluded that its overall risk versus benefit profile is "unfavorable."
Bextra belongs to a class of drugs called Cox-2 inhibitors, including Celebrex, another Pfizer drug, and Vioxx, made by Merck & Company. All three painkillers have been amid controversy since September 2004, after Merck pulled Vioxx from the market because it was found to increase a patients' risk of heart attack and stroke after 18 months of use.
But unlike Vioxx, Bextra was taken off the market because of its potential to cause a rare but serious skin reaction, which is already disclosed on its label, Pfizer said.
The Bextra lawsuits, filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York on Friday, claim Pfizer failed to adequately and properly test Bextra, and failed to warn doctors, patients and others about its potential risks.
The plaintiffs in the Bextra lawsuits are:
Luis G. Flores, 33, of Texas, who suffered a heart attack on Aug. 5, 2004 and, as a result, was forced to undergo two stent implantation surgeries.
Jimmy Kitchen, 67, of Arkansas, who suffered a heart attack on June 12, 2002.
Theodis Maddox, Jr., 48, of Arkansas, who suffered a stroke and temporary paralysis and weakness on his right side.
If you or someone you love took Bextra and endured a serious side effect such as Stephen-Johnson's Syndrome or cardiovascular problems, you need to consult a lawyer immediately. You may be entitled to pursue legal action to recover financial compensation for your pain and suffering, but if you wait you risk losing your ability to claim damages. Contact a Bextra lawyer today.
Other Defective Drug Topics
- Accutane
- ACE Inhibitors
- Ambien
- Anesthetic Creams
- Aranesp
- Aredia
- Avandia
- Bayer Diabetes Care Contour Test Strips
- Botox
- Carbamazepine
- Cefepime
- Celebrex
- Cialis
- Children's Cough and Cold Medication
- Colchicine
- Crestor
- Cytotec
- Depakote
- Dietary Supplements
- Dostinex
- Ephedra
- Epogen
- Femara
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