Blackbox Warnings Added to Celebrex Label

On April 7, 2005, the FDA forced Pfizer to add its sternest warning for a medication. The "black box" warnings will warn of the serious cardiovascular risks such as heart attacks and strokes. Studies as far back as 1999 and as recent as December of last year link Celebrex with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. 

The FDA considered the findings of an FDA advisory committee who met last February. The committee voted unanimously that Celebrex and other Cox-2 inhibitors significantly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In light of this finding, the FDA allowed Celebrex to remain on the market, but only with the stringent warning attached to the label. 

Considering the known cardiovascular risk of Celebrex, and the fact that this painkiller is not proven to work any better that other less dangerous drugs, we feel that the FDA stopped short of what is really needed. The FDA should require Pfizer to remove Celebrex from the market. Celebrex should have the same fate as Pfizer's other painkiller, Bextra, which the FDA forced off the market today. 

If you have suffered a cadiovascular injury while taking Celebrx, contact a Celebrex lawyer today.

In The News:

FDA Requires Celebrex Warning, WSJ April 7, 2005

FDA Press Release Statement

FDA Public Health Advisory

Compare the Studies of Cox-2 Inhibitors