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Risk of GI Bleeding Increased When NSAIDs and SSRIs Are Taken Together
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can interact to increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, according to a report in the October 5th issue of Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Reuters Health Information, October 2007
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CME
Breast Cancer Risk May Decrease With Increasing Duration of NSAID Use
A case-control study shows that risk is generally lowest for 7 years or more of use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and both aspirin and nonaspirin use was associated with reduced risks.
Medscape Medical News, October 2007
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Mouse Study Suggests Mechanism Behind COX-2-Inhibitor Cardiovascular Risk
Researchers suggest that blocking the COX pathway triggers a cascade of events that leads to an increase in the amount of circulating tissue factor, an initiator of coagulation.
Heartwire, August 2007
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Australia Bans Novartis's Prexige on Liver Worries
Australia's drugs regulator banned the use of Novartis's Prexige because of liver problems in patients using the painkiller, the watchdog said, including two deaths and two liver transplants.
Reuters Health Information, August 2007
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NSAIDs Variably Affect Cardiovascular Outcomes
Different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) confer different thrombotic risk in patients with osteoarthritis, and risk varies depending on use of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events, according to a report in the June issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Reuters Health Information, July 2007
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Celecoxib Noninferior to Diclofenac for Short-Term Pain Relief in Ankylosing Spondylitis
A randomized trial showed 200 mg of celecoxib either once or twice daily appeared comparable to 75 mg of diclofenac twice daily in reducing pain in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
Medscape Medical News, July 2007
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Nabumetone and Meloxicam Well Tolerated in NSAID-Intolerant Subjects
Nabumetone and meloxicam appear to be safe alternatives for patients intolerant to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), based on findings reported in the April issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Reuters Health Information, May 2007
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FDA Advisory Panel Votes "No" to Etoricoxib
Merck's new arthritis drug--another COX-2 inhibitor--was shut out 19-1 by the mixed FDA panel. Some members argued passionately that it was time to drop the class of drugs, due primarily to their cardiovascular risk profile.
Heartwire, April 2007
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CME
High-Risk Patients Taking Aspirin at Greater Risk for CV Events With Ibuprofen
Compared with lumiracoxib, ibuprofen increased the risk for thrombotic and congestive heart failure events among high cardiovascular-risk patients with osteoarthritis currently taking aspirin.
Medscape Medical News, April 2007
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CME/CE
AHA Updates NSAID Advice for Heart Disease Patients
The American Heart Association recommends a stepwise approach for musculoskeletal pain treatment, discouraging regular NSAID and COX-2 inhibitor use in patients with and at risk for heart disease.
Medscape Medical News, February 2007
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CME/CE
Common Over-the-Counter Analgesics May Increase Hypertension Risk in Older Men
A study adds further support to the hypothesis that popular everyday painkillers, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, increase the risk of developing hypertension.
Medscape Medical News, February 2007
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MEDAL: Are the GI Benefits of Etoricoxib Worthwhile?
Detailed gastrointestinal results from the trial, comparing Merck’s new COX-2 inhibitor etoricoxib with diclofenac, show significantly fewer uncomplicated upper-gastrointestinal clinical events with etoricoxib, but no difference in complicated GI events, leading to questions about whether this benefit is clinically relevant.
Heartwire, February 2007
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CME/CE
Celecoxib Therapy Does Not Increase Cardiovascular Events
A patient-level meta-analysis failed to show that risk for myocardial infarction, stroke, or death was higher with celecoxib than with placebo or nonselective NSAIDs.
Medscape Medical News, January 2007
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Coxibs May Have Less Risk for Upper GI Bleeding Than Nonselective NSAIDs or Aspirin
A case-controlled study also suggests that when combined with low-dose aspirin, the differences between nonselective NSAIDs and coxibs tend to disappear.
Medscape Medical News, December 2006
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FDA Safety Changes: Prevacid NapraPAC, Epzicom, Forane
The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for lansoprazole and naproxen, abacavir sulfate/lamivudine, and isoflurane volatile liquid.
Medscape Medical News, November 2006
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MEDAL: Etoricoxib Shows Same Thrombotic Cardiovascular Risk as Diclofenac
Both drugs were similar in effectiveness against arthritis symptoms, but diclofenac was associated with more upper-GI and hepatic events, whereas etoricoxib showed more heart failure and discontinuations due to edema and hypertension. Discussion is focusing on whether diclofenac was the appropriate comparator drug, as it is also believed to carry an increased cardiovascular risk.
Heartwire, November 2006
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Meta-analysis Linked Rofecoxib, Not Other COX-2 Inhibitors, With Renal Harm
A meta-analysis of randomized trials of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors found that rofecoxib was uniquely associated with greater risk for renal events.
Medscape Medical News, September 2006
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CME
COX-2 Inhibitors and NSAIDs Have Cardiotoxic Effects
The findings from a review of observational studies suggest that diclofenac, indomethacin, and meloxicam increase cardiovascular risk as much as rofecoxib and that naproxen has a neutral effect.
Medscape Medical News, September 2006
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Recalls & Warnings Ibuprofen May Reduce Protective Effects of Aspirin
According to the FDA, patients should be instructed on the appropriate timing of ibuprofen dosing if they are also taking aspirin for cardioprotective effects.
Medscape Medical News, September 2006
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Celecoxib Reduces Colorectal Adenomas, but CV Risk Remains High
Two trials found that celecoxib continues to show promise in colorectal cancer, but heart risks must be monitored.
Medscape Medical News, August 2006
