Bextra and
Menstrual Cramps: Bextra Side Effects Danger
 FREE Case Review
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| When the COX-2 Inhibitor Bextra was released on the market in 2001, Americans were hopeful that the anti-inflammatory drug would lessen pain and discomfort without the stomach issues associated with traditional NSAIDs. One of the main reasons that Bextra seemed to be a blessing for women in particular was due to the alleviation of painful symptoms of monthly menstrual cramps. As with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, the drug acts by blocking the production of prostaglandins through the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX-2) enzyme. By blocking the COX-2, and consequently prostaglandin production, the pain was reduced.
However, though Bextra helped reduce the pain and inflammation of cramping, long range studies revealed that COX-2 inhibitors caused increases in heart attacks and strokes, and Bextra in particular caused severe allergic reactions in the skin of some patients. The emergence of these types of side effects led the FDA to ask Pfizer to remove the medication from the market in April 2005.
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