UBC Faculty Research and Publications

Rofecoxib (Vioxx®) withdrawal generates uncertainty about “COX-2s” : Do product monographs adequately inform? Therapeutics Initiative (University of British Columbia)

Description

Therapeutics Letter 53 considers whether the Product Monographs for rofecoxib and the other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs marketed as COX-2 selective NSAID’s adequately inform clinicians about the benefits and harms of these drugs. Conclusions: Product monographs sometimes provide data about drug harms including serious adverse events that is not published elsewhere; represent a challenge in finding, extracting and interpreting the relevant information; do not adequately inform clinicians. Celecoxib, meloxicam and valdecoxib 2004 monographs do not claim to improve arthritis symptoms better than non-selective NSAIDs; do not warn against prescribing to patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease; do not claim to reduce complicated ulcers as compared with non-selective NSAIDs; provide insufficient information as to whether or not these drugs increase myocardial infarction or total cardiovascular thrombotic events.

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International