title: [Withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx): what about cardiovascular safety of COX-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs?].
abstract: Rofecoxib (Vioxx), the first COX-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), was recently withdrawn by Merck Sharp & Dohme. Indeed, both observational studies and randomised clinical trials showed that rofecoxib is associated with a significantly increased risk of acute myocardial infarction in patients receiving either high daily dosage (>25 mg/day) or for a long period of time (> 18 months). The precise mechanism responsible for this phenomenon still remains unknown. Currently available data suggest that this adverse effect is not observed with other COX-2 NSAIDs, especially celecoxib for which the information is most abundant. Nevertheless, caution is required because of lack of prospective long-term data, and strict respect of indications and modalities of clinical use of COX-2 NSAIDs is mandatory. Finally, in patients with high cardiovascular risk who should receive a COX-2 selective NSAID, the association with a low dose of acetylsalicylic acid is recommended in order to benefit of a protective antiplatelet effect.
authors.affiliation: Université de Liège, Chef de Service, Service de Diabétologie, Nutrition et Maladies métaboliques et Service de Médecine interne générale, CHU Sart Tilman, Liège.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Scheen
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D007783:Lactones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D013450:Sulfones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D007783:Lactones; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases