| Pfizer's Bextra Goes Bust
Sandy White
Friday 8 April 2005
Pfizer arthritis drug Bextra has been pulled from the market by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amid concerns the risks outweigh the benefits.
The FDA says Bextra offers no advantages over other available anti-inflammatory painkillers and that patients should contact their doctor about choosing a different treatment.
Many doctors are critical of the withdrawal saying patients and physicians should left to make the decision.
Risks from Bextra include an increase in heart attacks and strokes, bleeding stomach ulcers and the potential for a life threatening skin reaction.
The regulatory body has also said harsher warning labels will be required for over the counter remedies such as Motrin and Aleve.
The decision comes just two months after expert advisory panels recommended Bextra stay on the market with enhanced warnings.
Previously the FDA pulled Merck's Vioxx and issued tougher warnings for another Pfizer drug, Celebrex.
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