Celebrex Passes Cardiac and Gastric Safety Test

Focus has been on the COX-2 inhibitor Celebrex (celecoxib), ever since Vioxx was found to increase thromboembolic events in treated patients.

In a study, conducted by Gurkirpal Singh, MD, and colleagues at Stanford University, published in the March issue of The American Journal of Medicine, Celecoxib has been shown to be as effective for the treatment of osteoarthritis as are non-specific non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Additional findings included that Celebrex posed a lower risk of serious gastric effects, while the frequency of cardiovascular thromboembolic events among patients taking Celebrex versus NSAIDs was similar.

The results of the study could mean patients who cannot tolerate NSAIDs can take treatment with Celebrex without fear of adverse cardiac events.

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