03/30/2008- Raleigh, NC: Bess W. was referred to a nephrologist to evaluate her kidney function. "All this time she was still on 200mg of Celebrex daily," says her husband Reid. "The specialist reported to her primary care physician that she had progressive renal insufficiency due to analgesic neuropathy from many years of non-steroidal and COX-2 use. He also said that her accelerated hypertension and edema are probably related to her worsening renal disease and Celebrex. More::

02/27/2008 - Drug maker Pfizer has delivered 36 million pages of facts about painkillers Celebrex and Bextra to class action attorney Stephen Tillery, but he won't tell Pfizer who prescribed the pills for his clients or who paid for the pills. More ::

05/18/2006 -New data obtained by NPR show that patients who took Vioxx even for short periods were at higher risk of heart problems and strokes. An estimated 20 million Americans took the painkiller before Merck & Co. stopped selling it in 2004. More ::

03/01/2006 - People taking the pain reliever Celebrex were at nearly twice the risk for heart attacks as those using rival treatments, according to a study released Wednesday conducted by New Zealand's Medical Research Institute. More ::

04/17/2005 - A panel of federal drug advisers who gathered here on Wednesday to judge the safety of the heavy-selling pain pills Celebrex, Bextra and Vioxx were tough, sometimes even caustic, in their remarks about the drugs, suggesting that the panel may take a hard line on their uses. More ::

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Celebrex
Celebrex ( generic name Celecoxib ) side effects are serious and sometimes fatal. Although Celebrex side effects have not been studied as intensively as those associated with Vioxx, many experts believe they are identical to those associated with Vioxx, since both drugs are classified as Cox-2 inhibitors. There are 3 drugs on the market that are classified as Cox-2 inhibitors: Celebrex, Vioxx, and Bextra. In addition to Celebrex side effects relating to heart attack and stroke ( as reported among users of Vioxx ), there are some other risks specifically reported early in the drug’s arrival on the market.

When Celebrex was first released, Celebrex side effects were the subject of a Wall Street Journal article that linked ten deaths to Celebrex within the first three months of approval. Of the ten deaths related to harmful effects of Celebrex, half were due to gastrointestinal hemorrhage. There were another eleven reported non-lethal cases specifically mentioning gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The other deaths that were potentially a result of Celebrex side effects included heart attacks, kidney problems, and drug interaction. Although the FDA never declared that Celebrex side effects were directly responsible for these deaths, the FDA is now considering a requirement to mention Celebrex side effects specifically related to cardiovascular problems on a Celebrex warning label. There are experts that believe a Celebrex warning label is not enough and that a Celebrex recall should be issued.

Patients who feel at risk of Celebrex side effects should talk to a doctor— never stop a prescription without consulting a physician. If Celebrex has adversely affected yourself or a loved one, you may wish to consult an Celebrex attorney. Celebrex side effects can be serious—even deadly—and may require costly additional care. A Celebrex lawyer may be able to help you make the right decisions to protect yourself and your family.

What is Celebrex (Celecoxib)?
Celebrex is a medicine that is prescribed to provide temporary relief of the pain associated with inflammation, and stiffness of osteoarthritis and adult rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used to relieve pain from menstrual cramping ( primary dysmenorrhea ).

Like Vioxx ( Merck issued a Vioxx recall in September 2004 & Pfizer issued a Bextra recall in April of 2005) it is a class of drug called a COX-2 inhibitor ( Celebrex, Vioxx, & Bextra are all COX-2 inhibitors ). Celebrex along with other COX-2 inhibitors such as Vioxx ( Merck ) and Bextra ( Pfizer ) work by blocking an enzyme called COX-2 which is produced by the body. COX-2 is known to play a major role in causing arthritis pain and inflammation. By targeting the COX-2 enzyme it ( along with Vioxx and Bextra ) can relieve the pain, stiffness, and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Because Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra are all part of the same class many think there should also be a Celebrex recall.

Serious Celebrex Side Effects Include:

• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Blood Clots
• Stevens Johnson Syndrome
• Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
• Stomach Bleeding
• Death

If you are currently taking Celebrex and have concerns about its safetly, you should consult with your doctor regarding your treatment options. Under no circumstances should you discontinue taking any medication, including Celebrex, without first consulting with your doctor. For Zyprexa legal information contact the Celebrex Attorneys of Ennis & Ennis, P.A. by filling out our free Celebrex case evaluation form or by calling the toll-free number listed below.