celebrex injury attorneys
On April 7, 2005, the FDA required Pfizer to add a black box warning to the drug's label. This is the strictest warning available to the FDA, and requires that doctors consider all other treatment options before prescribing the drug. To the detriment of consumers worldwide, the FDA stopped short of withdrawing the drug from the market. The consumer group Pubic Citizen , which petitioned the FDA for the removal of Celebrex and Bextra in January of this year, renewed objections to Celebrex remaining on the market. The gastrointestinal benefits of both drugs have yet to be clinically proven and over 23 million Celebrex prescriptions were written last year alone. Potentially hundreds of thousands of citizens are still at risk for cardiovascular events.
Celebrex History
Celebrex has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke. On December 17, 2004, the National Institute of Health halted a study being performed to test the effectiveness of Celebrex (celecoxib) on the reduction of colon polyps. The study, called the Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib (APC) trial, ended because it revealed that users of Celebrex were two and one half (2.5) times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke.
Pfizer, the maker of Celebrex, has downplayed the results of the study and refuses to withdrawal the drug. Pfizer claims it is examining other studies to determine the overall cardiovascular effect on the population. In reality, Pfizer may be stalling in order to continue the sales of Celebrex as long as possible before its inevitable withdrawal. This process has already begun. On December 20, 2004, the FDA mandated that Pfizer pull all Celebrex advertising from TV, radio, newspapers and magazines.
If this scenario sounds familiar, it is because Vioxx was used in a similar study before being withdrawn from the market. In the APPROVe study, it became clear the users of Vioxx were twice as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. Merck withdrew the drug the same day the results were released. Pfizer, however, continues to sell its dangerous drug in the marketplace.
Celebrex is a member of the class of drugs called Cox-2 inhibitors . These types of drugs, including Vioxx and Bextra, have been shown to cause an increase in the risk of heart attack, strokes, and serious blood clotting events. We feel that Cox-2 inhibitors may present a serious health problem to the public. If you or someone you know has suffered serious side effects from this prescription drug, consult with an attorney as soon as possible to determine your rights.
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