Celebrex's Effect on BP Downplayed
Celebrex's Effect on BP Downplayed
Study Shows Advil and Aleve Associated With Higher Rate of Hypertension
May 19, 2006 (New York City) -- The popular antiarthritis drug Celebrex appears to raise blood pressure, but the effect is not as large as that associated with the use of some other painkillers such as Advil or Aleve, according to a study of over 44,000 people.
"Hypertensionwas more prevalent in patients given Celebrex than those given placebo, which didn't raise blood pressure at all," says researcher William B. White, MD, of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington.
But when Celebrex, a so-called Cox-2 drug, was compared with other types of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers, called NSAIDs, "the other NSAIDS raised blood pressure more," he tells WebMD.
The findings were presented at the American Society of Hypertension meeting here.
The Cox-2 drugs have been a cause of concern since one such drug, Vioxx, was voluntarily removed from the market in September 2004 due to an increased risk of heart attacks among people who took the drug daily for more than 18 months. Then another drug, Bextra, was pulled from the U.S. market after the FDA said its risks of heart, stomach, and skin problems outweighed its benefits.
That left Celebrex as the only Cox-2 drug on the market. But even it was forced by the FDA to carry strict new warnings alerting doctors and patients that it elevates the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Meanwhile, other studies showed that other NSAIDS, such as Advil and Aleve, also increase the risk of heart attacks in people with arthritis. So doctors have been urging all involved to weigh their individual risks when choosing a painkiller.
Due to the controversy surrounding the use of Celebrex and other NSAIDs, White's study, which was originally scheduled to be featured in a news conference here, was removed from its agenda. After his presentation to other doctors, which reporters were allowed to attend, White told WebMD that the American Society of Hypertensions simply told him the issue was controversial and to avoid the press room.
The new study was an analysis of 41 trials comparing Celebrex either to other NSAIDs or placebo for disorders ranging from osteoarthritisto Alzheimer's disease.
Celebrex's Effect on BP Downplayed
Study Shows Advil and Aleve Associated With Higher Rate of Hypertension
May 19, 2006 (New York City) -- The popular antiarthritis drug Celebrex appears to raise blood pressure, but the effect is not as large as that associated with the use of some other painkillers such as Advil or Aleve, according to a study of over 44,000 people.
"Hypertensionwas more prevalent in patients given Celebrex than those given placebo, which didn't raise blood pressure at all," says researcher William B. White, MD, of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington.
But when Celebrex, a so-called Cox-2 drug, was compared with other types of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers, called NSAIDs, "the other NSAIDS raised blood pressure more," he tells WebMD.
The findings were presented at the American Society of Hypertension meeting here.
Controversy Over Cox-2 Drugs
The Cox-2 drugs have been a cause of concern since one such drug, Vioxx, was voluntarily removed from the market in September 2004 due to an increased risk of heart attacks among people who took the drug daily for more than 18 months. Then another drug, Bextra, was pulled from the U.S. market after the FDA said its risks of heart, stomach, and skin problems outweighed its benefits.
That left Celebrex as the only Cox-2 drug on the market. But even it was forced by the FDA to carry strict new warnings alerting doctors and patients that it elevates the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Meanwhile, other studies showed that other NSAIDS, such as Advil and Aleve, also increase the risk of heart attacks in people with arthritis. So doctors have been urging all involved to weigh their individual risks when choosing a painkiller.
Due to the controversy surrounding the use of Celebrex and other NSAIDs, White's study, which was originally scheduled to be featured in a news conference here, was removed from its agenda. After his presentation to other doctors, which reporters were allowed to attend, White told WebMD that the American Society of Hypertensions simply told him the issue was controversial and to avoid the press room.
Celebrex vs. Other NSAIDs
The new study was an analysis of 41 trials comparing Celebrex either to other NSAIDs or placebo for disorders ranging from osteoarthritisto Alzheimer's disease.
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