What recommendations should be given to patients by doctors who are confused with the current environment in which it is known which drug is 100% safe?
According to Mark Fendrick, M.D., a University of Michigan professor of internal medicine, “Patients with known coronary artery disease would probably benefit from discontinuing these medications with guidance from their physicians. If patients ask what is their risk of continuing to take the medication the FDA has previously stated that for rofecoxib “the risk that an individual patient [taking Vioxx] will suffer a heart attack or stroke related to the drug is very small.” For patients with significant risk factors for coronary artery disease, we recommend that alternative medications be considered for their symptoms. Patients on valdecoxib (Bextra) or celecoxib (Celebrex) may either be switched to acetaminophen or a traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Acetaminophen, up to four grams daily, provides similar pain relief for many patients with osteoarthritis and should be considered before beginning an NSAID.
Related Questions
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