NEJM early release: valdecoxib (Bextra) safety concern . . .
"New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), correspondence
"
Cardiovascular Toxicity of Valdecoxib"to the editor . . . . Rofecoxib (Vioxx) was recently withdrawn from the market because of an increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. There is a similar public health concern about another coxib, valdecoxib (Bextra), which is used by 7 million patients worldwide. To protect the safety of the public, we write to recommend that clinicians stop prescribing valdecoxib except in extraordinary circumstances. . ."
"(V)aldecoxib constitute a potential imminent hazard to public health and thus require action."
"Wayne A. Ray, Ph.D.
Marie R. Griffin, M.D., M.P.H.
C. Michael Stein, M.B., Ch.B.
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Nashville, TN 3723"
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/NEJMc045711v1.pdf.