Dangerous Drugs: Bextra

Bextra is a pain reliever.  Many people who suffer from arthritis have taken Bextra, a drug prescribed to reduce inflammation and offer relief from pain. 

But studies show that users of Bextra who survived a heart attack have a much higher risk of dying from a second heart attack, after taking the drug for just a short time.

Additional studies have shown that Bextra, which is in the same class of drugs as Vioxx, which has since been withdrawn from the market, can double the risk of heart attack, stroke and sudden cardiac death. The use of Bextra has also been linked to a potentially fatal skin condition, known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

In April 2005, Pfizer, which made Bextra, withdrew the drug from the market.

If you or someone close to you has taken Bextra, they should see a doctor.