| |
| |
|
Medicine Information |
|
|
|
Celebrex? Vioxx? Can My Doctor Provide Me With Safe Prescription Painkillers?
The news has been full of the recent FDA findings on a new set of drugs to help relieve pain. These drugs have been approved for re-release, but it is unclear whether Vioxx will be available again and whether physicians will feel comfortable prescribing Celebrex and Bextra for many of their patients. What happened to Celebrex and Vioxx? Celebrex, Vioxx, and Bextra are all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, pronounced en-said-z), similar to drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen, that are available over the counter (OTC). Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra, (sometimes called Cox-2 inhibitors) however, use a slightly different method to achieve the same effect as their OTC cousins; this new method was supposed to limit the side effects some people experience on OTC drugs, including stomach and intestinal problems and allergic reactions. It was thought that because these drugs were less likely to cause such problems, they might be safer for patients with painful chronic conditions (like arthritis) to use for long periods of time. Unfortunately, some studies of Cox-2 inhibitors suggest that while they don't cause the sorts of side effects of other NSAIDs, they may create a greater risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke. For people already at risk for these diseases (including those who have already experienced a stroke or heart problem), taking these drugs over the long run may significantly increase the risk of heart problems. Now What Can I Do To Get Pain Relief? Until a final decision has been made on each of these drugs, what can your healthcare provider do to help you with pain management? Here are important pieces of information to think about in determining what next steps to take: * The Cox-2 inhibitors were not shown to be more effective than other NSAIDs, like naproxen. If you've been on or thinking about trying Vioxx or another Cox-2 inhibitor, you may be able to use an older anti-inflammatory drug. Naproxen, one of the older NSAIDs, may be an anti-inflammatory drug that actually lowers heart attack risk. * Some people started on a Cox-2 inhibitors because they had a stomach ulcer or other risk factors for stomach or intestine bleeding (for example, people on blood thinners), which may be made worse by older anti-inflammatory drugs. For some people who are at risk for bleeding, other options like acetaminophen may be an option. * There are lots of other medical options. Steroids can be used for shorter periods of time to manage inflammatory pain from diseases like arthritis and lupus. Opioids (drugs that resemble opium), such as oxycodone, codeine, and hydrocodone (Vicodin) can help with pain management, but they can have serious side effects, and some of them can be addictive, so working closely with your healthcare worker is key to determine if these will work for you. In addition, some antidepressants may help with chronic (long-term) pain, though the way this works isn't yet known * New procedures may be of assistance to you. Nerve block therapy (in which certain nerves are temporarily anaesthetized) can relieve pain temporarily. "Implantable "technologies, like spinal cord stimulation (SCS) systems and implantable drug delivery systems, do seem to help some people for whom other pain relief methods don't work. * If you aren't getting the relief you need (with or without the use of Cox-2 inhibitors), you may want to consult a pain specialist. Some large hospitals (such as Stanford University) have departments devoted to pain management. The American Board of Pain Medicine and the PainConnection (at painconnection.org) can help you locate a pain specialist who can work with your other healthcare professionals to put a new treatment plan together for you. Harris, G., "F.D.A. Official Admits 'Lapses' on Vioxx," New York Times, March 2, 2005 Krames, E., "Implantable Technologies: Spinal Cord Stimulation and Implantable Drug Delivery Systems," http://www.painconnection.org/ Winfield, J. et al "A Primer on Pain Management: Optimal Therapy for the Patient in Pain," Medscape CME, February 2005. Copyright (C) Shoppe.MD and Ian Mason, 2004-2005 Ian Mason, owner of Shoppe.MD, your source for Online Prescription Medications, drug information and support forums. Ian is a fat-to-fit student of health, weight loss, exercise, and several martial arts; maintaining several websites in an effort to help provide up-to-date and helpful information for other who share his interests in health of body and mind.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Cetyl Myristoleate Seperating Fact From Fiction I am a strong believer in Cetyl Myristoleate for the treatment of arthritis. For the last three years I have been researching and writing about Cetyl Myristoleate. A Closer Look at Lower Back Pain Relief As many as 8 out of 10 adults will experience back pain in their lifetime, and most of them will feel it in their lower back. When we consider that our lower back bears the brunt of our body weight, and that our back is made up of many vertebrae, a few discs to absorb shock, several major nerves and joints that allow for movement of the spine, stacked on top of each other, this statistic begins to make more sense. Latest Medical Spa Equipment Showcased at New York Medical Spa Expo This year, the New York Medical Spa Expo confirmed the Medical Spa industry is continuing to grow. "Not only did thousands of Spa and Medical Spa owners visit this year's show, but we also saw the release of some new and noteworthy equipment perfect for the medical spa environment" says Jeff Russell, the CEO of MedSpa Financing. Molluscum Contagiosum Virus (MCV) Treatment Information - But First, What Is Molluscum? Molluscum contagiosum treatment is certainly possible with the correct treatment information.Many people are told that molluscum contagiosum must be left to run its course (even by dermatologists). "Do you suffer from Osteoarthritis? Here's how to tell!" The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). This type of arthritis is commonly referred to as wear and tear arthritis or degenerative arthritis. How To Locate An Alcohol Rehabilitation Center In California Alcohol rehab in California refers to the centers that helppeople in California to get rid of the menace ofalcoholism.Prevalence of alcoholism is increasing in Californiatherefore more people are looking for Alcoholrehabilitation facilities in California. Bextra and Vioxx Withdrawal Spawn Advertising Pause from Bristol Myers Pharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb has announced that they will suspend direct-to-consumer advertising for their prescription drug products for a year. This comes in the wake of the well-publicized withdrawals of Merck's Vioxx and Pfizer's Bextra, two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that were voluntarily withdrawn from the market recently. Are You Sometimes Confused by Written Medical Instructions? Now, imagine what it would be like if you were sick, scared and had only third grade reading skills. Your doctor tells you, "You'vegot to follow these instructions exactly, or you could die. Pain in the Butt. How to Deal with Hemorrhoids? This is very sensitive area of your body. Too private. The Top Seven Myths About Arthritis Myth #1: "Nothing can be done about arthritis.. Food for Thought Depression is a disorder marked by sadness, low energy, impaired concentration, and feelings of dejection. Some people believe that depression is normal. Vioxx Recall leads to Vioxx Lawsuits Vioxx is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammagory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation, pain, fever, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis stiffness, and menstrual pain. However, Vioxx has been shown to cause blood clots, heart attacks, stroke, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, kidney damage and other dangerous and potentially deadly side effects. What You Should Know About Mixing Medications and Diet... I had a call the other day from a potential client in a serious situation. He was young and had been diagnosed with CAD (Coronary Artery Disease), suffering from extremely high blood pressure and cholesterol, his doctor had put him on a medication that was suppose to lower and control these symptoms, and he had been on this medication for over 2 years. Lamisil Side Effects Lawyer: Lamisil Tablet While the recent Lamisil commercial featuring Digger, a disgusting cartoon fungus, is still fresh in our mind (who could forget the imagery of a toenail being pulled back and colorful germs crawling in?) it is a good time to look at the side effects of this seemingly innocuous drug. Despite the disturbing advertising campaign, who would have guessed that an antifungal tablet could have so many negative side effects?The drug comes in both cream and tablet form and is used to fight nail fungus, athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm. Why Modern Medicine is the Greatest Threat to Health There is the underlying assumption that modernity translates into better health. A corollary of this logic is that we can live our lives pretty much as we want because we can always buy a repair. Five Secrets of High Blood Pressure Treatment Thirty percent of human population has a high blood pressure and everyone has a 90% risk to acquire it during the rest of the life. As a result, half of all human deaths are due to the major complications of high blood pressure, mainly stroke and heart attack. Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers - Take An Informed Decision Alcohol rehabilitation centers in the United States offer awide range of treatment programmes for your recovery fromalcoholism.They provide services such as detoxification, residentialtreatment, day care and outpatient alcohol rehabilitationprograms. How Is Mold Like AIDS? Don't laugh. Both get a lot of coverage in the press. Which Drug Addiction Treatment is the Best? The answer is simple: there is no such thing as the best drug addiction treatment. Depending on the kind of the addiction, your age and social situation different treatments may be chosen for your benefit. rX My Heart and Hope to Die This must be a mistake! How could his drug costs rise from $150 a month to $1101 in just three weeks? My hands shook while I read the pharmacy bill.There was no mistake.
|
| home | site map |
| ©EmptyNestNow.com 2006 |
