Are drugs in the same family as Vioxx still available for arthritis pain?
“There are alternatives to Vioxx still available, including other drugs in the same family like Celebrex and Bextra,” says Senay. “(These are) the so-called ‘super-aspirin’ drugs known as Cox-2 inhibitors. But because of the risks of Vioxx to the heart, many doctors are wondering whether similar risks might exist with the other Cox-2 inhibitors. “So,” she continues, “the advice for patients with heart disease or at risk of heart disease may well be to avoid taking these drugs until further studies are completed. Your doctor is the best person to confer with when it comes to assessing your individual risk versus benefit, because for many people, these drugs are very effective for pain relief.” What are the other alternatives to arthritis pain relief? “Don’t forget that over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen are proven to safe and effective for pain relief,” advises Senay. “But, again, you need to ask your doctor about which ones are right for you. It’s
