[Withdrawal of rofecoxib: a sign to be careful with coxibs in patients with increased cardiovascular risk].
Recently, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures rofecoxib (Vioxx) withdrew the drug on the basis of information indicating that it increases the number of acute myocardial infarctions and sudden cardiac deaths. Up until then, the advantages of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (coxibs): notably fewer gastrointestinal complications than with the non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were considered to outweigh the adverse effects. Since the other coxibs share properties with rofecoxib, such as the potential for a higher thrombotic response in treated patients, it now seems wise to refrain from prescribing coxibs in patients with an increased cardiovascular risk profile until further data are available.
Bijlsma
J W J
JW
Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht, afd. Reumatologie en Klinische Immunologie, Postbus 85.500, 3508 GA Utrecht. j.w.j.bijlsma@azu.nl
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013450:Sulfones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007783:Lactones; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib