Opinion - Coxibs: can this class of drugs survive?

• Main Author: Reza Tabrizchi
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2005
• Subjects: Diseases of the circulatory (Cardiovascular) system; RC666-701; Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/53aaa0656e1549c8b103c00be5ef8615

Reza TabrizchiDivision of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, MemorialUniversity of Newfoundland, St John’s, NL, CanadaThe sudden voluntary withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx), a “selective” cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2) inhibitor, by Merck & Co on September 30, 2004, as a result of its adverse cardiovascular effects (Couzin 2004), begs the question as to whether this toxicity is a class effect. There is little doubt that toxicity associated with a drug can permeate and havea devastating effect on the clinical use of the entire class to which the drug belongs, unless the nature of that toxicity is clearly defined and characterized in a transparent fashion within the scientific community. In this particular case, the jury is still out. However, unless this class of drugs is used appropriately and wisely, it will not survive.