Pharmalert - VIOXX Withdrawal

Saturday, January 1st 2005

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Arthritis Drug Withdrawn, There are Safe Natural Alternatives

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, USA) acknowledged the withdrawal from the worldwide market of Vioxx (chemical name rofecoxib), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) manufactured by Merck & Co.

Merck withdraw Vioxx from the market after the Data Safety Monitoring Board (USA) overseeing a long-term study of the drug recommended that the study be halted because of an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events including heart attacks and strokes. Users of the drug had 200% as much risk of getting heart attacks as participants taking a placebo.

European regulators are launching a safety investigation into the entire class of drugs that includes Vioxx and Celebrex. A recent editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine questions whether any COX-2 inhibitor drug is safe, recommending that these drugs not be given to patients with any risk of cardiovascular disease.

People using Vioxx had an 80% increased risk of hospital admission for congestive heart failure.

FDA approved Vioxx in 1999 and subsequently approved it to treat the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in adults and children.

In June 2000, Merck submitted to FDA a safety study called Vigor (Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research) that found an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, in patients taking Vioxx compared to patients taking naproxen. After reviewing the results of the VIGOR study and other available data from controlled clinical trials, FDA consulted with its Arthritis Advisory Committee in February 2001 regarding the clinical interpretation of this new safety information. In April 2002, FDA only implemented labeling changes to reflect the findings from the VIGOR study including information about the increase in risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke. In September 2004 Vioxx was withdrawn around the world.

What are Prescription COX-2 Inhibitors

COX-2 Inhibitors block the action of a certain chemical called COX-2. However, most of the COX-2 Inhibitor drugs are also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems, including elevated blood pressure. And there are still a number of GI complaints in the COX-2 groups.

Relative Safety

There are about 16,000 deaths a year from NSAIDS, and 100,000 people hospitalized with serious complications. NSAIDS are blamed for over half of all liver failures (USA).
If you can get temporary relief of aches and pains by using natural products with minimal side effects rather than with more dangerous prescription drugs, why not? After all, life threatening and dangerous side effects are the main reason why drugs have restrictions on their sale in the first place. Death is a very serious side effect!

Safe Natural Alternatives

Glucosamine (GS) helps improve the health of joints affected by osteoarthritis. When Glucosamine is combined with chondroitin sulfate (CS) even greater benefits can be achieved. Studies have shown that the right combination actually reverses damage in joints affected by osteoarthritis, in turn significantly reducing pain and stiffness. In Europe both GS and CS have been used for more than a decade to successfully treat osteoarthritis.

The most widely used natural remedy for arthritis is a combination of Glucosamine, Chrondroitin and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) such as in Radiance Joint Connection.

Reproduced unabridged from the January - March 2005 issue of Health and Herbal News, with the kind permission of Health and Herbs International Ltd.

The following products are all useful for Joint Mobility:

Bee Venom with Glucosamine
Boswellia
Complete Omega 3.6.9
Deer Velvet
Devils Claw Secondary Root
Efamarine
Glucosamine 1-A-Day
Hi Strength Liquid Fish Oil
Injuraid
Joint Connection Cream with MSM
Joint Connection
Joint Repair Liquid
Joint Vitality
MSM
Pain Relief
Quercetin with Bromelain
Turmeric

Related health information can be found here:

Arthritis & Rheumatism
Back Pain
Calcium Deficiency
Osteoporosis
Rheumatism

Related articles can be found here:

Arthritis Studies Focus on Boswellia

Efamarine - help for joint mobility and the maintenance of immunity

Get moving gym-free!

Study finds natural alternative may ease pain for arthrits sufferers

Third generation arthritis treatment - Radiance Joint Connection Capsules and Creme

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

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