A study published by the British Medical Journal suggests that high doses of regular over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen or diclofenac have the the same adverse effects on cardio-vascular “events” as do COX-2 inhibitors (like branded drugs Vioxx and Bextra).
All these drugs fall under the broad category of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or NSAIDs. COX-2 inhibitors are simply special NSAIDs that block the COX-2 enzyme from producing pain-transporters hence helping to reduce pain.
It has always been thought that regular NSAIDs like ibuprofen are safer than the COX-2 inhibitors, but the study concludes by stating:
Conclusions Selective COX 2 inhibitors are associated with a moderate increase in the risk of vascular events, as are high dose regimens of ibuprofen and diclofenac, but high dose naproxen is not associated with such an excess.
-Via British Medical Journal
Due to increased awareness and scrutiny, Vioxx and Bextra, two popular COX-2 inhibitors were withdrawn from the market, but people with arthritis continue to take higher doses of ibuprofen. While they should not stop this overnight, it is recommended they consult with their doctor about continued use in light of these new facts. Naproxen (branded as Aleve) and Aspirin, however, have not been named as offenders in the study.
Technorati Tags: health, fitness, cox-2, painkiller, vioxx, bextra, ibuprofen
