Vioxx news still heating up…

News in the Cox-2 category is still heating up.  These were mainly arthritis drugs, although they were being prescribed in some cases for migraine or other types of pain.  Vioxx was the first to get pulled, and now other Cox-2 drugs are under the microscope.  Now that they’re getting so much attention, more studies are being done.  One recent report links Vioxx to "thousands" of deaths, and 140,000 serious heart problems in the US alone (the study was done in California).

As important as it is to study Bextra and Celebrex and Vioxx, there’s this strange nagging feeling at the back of my mind – wondering what other drugs aren’t getting attention that should be.  What new treatments are waiting in the wings that are safe and should be on the market that are being delayed for one reason for another.  But for us average people trying to decide what drugs to take, this is yet another reminder to stay up to date and take the drug warnings that are out there seriously.  And remember, if possible try the safer treatments first.