Celebrex? Vioxx? Can My Doctor Provide Me With Safe Prescription Painkillers?

The news has been full of the recent FDA findings on a new set of drugs to help relieve pain. These drugs have been approved for re-release, but it is unclear whether Vioxx will be available again and whether physicians will feel comfortable prescribing Celebrex and Bextra for many of their patients.

What happened to Celebrex and Vioxx?

Celebrex, Vioxx, and Bextra are all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, pronounced en-said-z), similar to drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen, that are available over the counter (OTC). Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra, (sometimes called Cox-2 inhibitors) however, use a slightly different method to achieve the same effect as their OTC cousins; this new method was supposed to limit the side effects some people experience on OTC drugs, including stomach and intestinal problems and allergic reactions. It was thought that because these drugs were less likely to cause such problems, they might be safer for patients with painful chronic conditions (like arthritis) to use for long periods of time.

Unfortunately, some studies of Cox-2 inhibitors suggest that while they don't cause the sorts of side effects of other NSAIDs, they may create a greater risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke. For people already at risk for these diseases (including those who have already experienced a stroke or heart problem), taking these drugs over the long run may significantly increase the risk of heart problems.

Now What Can I Do To Get Pain Relief?

Until a final decision has been made on each of these drugs, what can your healthcare provider do to help you with pain management? Here are important pieces of information to think about in determining what next steps to take:

* The Cox-2 inhibitors were not shown to be more effective than other NSAIDs, like naproxen. If you've been on or thinking about trying Vioxx or another Cox-2 inhibitor, you may be able to use an older anti-inflammatory drug. Naproxen, one of the older NSAIDs, may be an anti-inflammatory drug that actually lowers heart attack risk.

* Some people started on a Cox-2 inhibitors because they had a stomach ulcer or other risk factors for stomach or intestine bleeding (for example, people on blood thinners), which may be made worse by older anti-inflammatory drugs. For some people who are at risk for bleeding, other options like acetaminophen may be an option.

* There are lots of other medical options. Steroids can be used for shorter periods of time to manage inflammatory pain from diseases like arthritis and lupus. Opioids (drugs that resemble opium), such as oxycodone, codeine, and hydrocodone (Vicodin) can help with pain management, but they can have serious side effects, and some of them can be addictive, so working closely with your healthcare worker is key to determine if these will work for you. In addition, some antidepressants may help with chronic (long-term) pain, though the way this works isn't yet known

* New procedures may be of assistance to you. Nerve block therapy (in which certain nerves are temporarily anaesthetized) can relieve pain temporarily. "Implantable "technologies, like spinal cord stimulation (SCS) systems and implantable drug delivery systems, do seem to help some people for whom other pain relief methods don't work.

* If you aren't getting the relief you need (with or without the use of Cox-2 inhibitors), you may want to consult a pain specialist. Some large hospitals (such as Stanford University) have departments devoted to pain management. The American Board of Pain Medicine and the PainConnection (at painconnection.org) can help you locate a pain specialist who can work with your other healthcare professionals to put a new treatment plan together for you.

Harris, G., "F.D.A. Official Admits 'Lapses' on Vioxx," New York Times, March 2, 2005

Krames, E., "Implantable Technologies: Spinal Cord Stimulation and Implantable Drug Delivery Systems," http://www.painconnection.org/

Winfield, J. et al "A Primer on Pain Management: Optimal Therapy for the Patient in Pain," Medscape CME, February 2005.

Copyright (C) Shoppe.MD and Ian Mason, 2004-2005

Ian Mason, owner of Shoppe.MD, your source for Online Prescription Medications, drug information and support forums.

Ian is a fat-to-fit student of health, weight loss, exercise, and several martial arts; maintaining several websites in an effort to help provide up-to-date and helpful information for other who share his interests in health of body and mind.

---

Stopping Hospital Infections

Each year hospitals end up killing twice as many people... Read More

Low Blood Pressure ? Why is Your Blood Pressure Low?

Why is your blood pressure low?As a doctor with an... Read More

Integrative Medicine And Its Future

The NBC National News, quoted the Washington Post in March... Read More

First Responder Human Hibernation Units

In the next few years paramedics, first responders and military... Read More

7 Tips to Immediately Reduce Rotator Cuff Pain

1. Support the affected arm during activities of daily living.... Read More

Serevent Side Effects Put Serevent in Top 5 Most Dangerous Drugs

Serevent is an asthma inhalation medication, a bronchodilator, that relaxes... Read More

Lamisil Side Effects Lawyer: Lamisil Tablet

While the recent Lamisil commercial featuring Digger, a disgusting cartoon... Read More

Lunesta Revealed: 7 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Lunesta Prescriptions

Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a... Read More

Medical Tourism Opportunities in India

More and more people have started travelling to India for... Read More

Modern Medicine Has Extended Life - BUT 9 Out of 10 People Say Its a Miserable Extension!

Sit down in a quiet place alone and take a... Read More

Marketing Authorisation - Medicinal Products

Marketing Authorisation: Medicinal Products The case of R (on the... Read More

The Lower Cost Prescription Drug Alternative

Today in the United States, there are hundreds of thousands... Read More

Hemorrhoids Treatment - A Variety of Options

A variety of options exist for hemorrhoid treatment including surgery,... Read More

Potassium and The Dialysis Patient

Any dialysis patient who has had a brush with high... Read More

Cholesterol Treatments Options: Statins

Satins are pharmacuetical drugs that work by restricting the enzyme... Read More

Interactive Technology in Healthcare Education

Healthcare professionals are under pressure to remember, utilize and absorb... Read More

Doc, My Tummy Aches and My Joints Hurt! Is there a connection?

Inflammatory disease of the bowel- regional enteritis (Crohn's disease) and... Read More

The 7 Most Dangerous Mistakes You Can Make When You See a Doctor for Arthritis!

1. Seeing a doctor who's not board-certified or a doctor... Read More

How to Make Changes in Your Healthcare Organization

For many of us change is a difficult process. In... Read More

An Introduction to Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or... Read More

Cetyl Myristoleate for Arthrtis: Science or Speculation

There are a lot of fabulous stories about Cetyl Myristoleate... Read More

An Introduction to Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common condition, but... Read More

Common Drugs and Their Uses

The five drugs that are discussed in this article are... Read More

Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness

As a physician specializing in psychiatry, I know that many... Read More

Online Pharmacies are Making it Possible for Internet Consumers to Acquire Prescriptions Online

Internet Pharmacies are convenient and quick, but some websites selling... Read More

Every Pharmaceutical Drug LEECHES Nutrients From Your Body

Are you currently on one or more pharmaceutical drugs? Perhaps... Read More

Pain Relief Drugs 101 What You Need to Know

Ever given a piece of thought to how actually one... Read More

Melatonin, Sleep Enhancement, and ADHD

Overview Melatonin is a natural hormone, which is produced and... Read More

Buy with confidence at Online Mexican Pharmacy

The foremost benefit of buying prescription medicines and other medical... Read More

After Viagra, Its Now a Premature Orgasm Pill for Women

Pfizer's exciting drug history traces back to the most popular... Read More

Treating Neuromas - Ten Tips

A neuroma is an inflamed nerve. In the foot, the... Read More

Celebrex? Vioxx? Can My Doctor Provide Me With Safe Prescription Painkillers?

The news has been full of the recent FDA findings... Read More

10 Home Remedies For Arthritis Pain Relief

Your Remedy No. 1 ==============Stretch Gently for Strength and Mobility.When... Read More