What are arthritis drugs?

Arthritis drugs are designed to treat the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. The arthritis drug treatment used to fight arthritis symptoms includes over-the-counter and prescription medications, such as acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, COX 2 inhibitors, corticosteroids, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Celebrex, and Arava are among the drugs most commonly prescribed for arthritis treatment. Prior to being pulled from the shelves by its manufacturer, Vioxx was one of the most frequently prescribed arthritis drugs.

What is Celebrex?
Celebrex is a prescription arthritis treatment that is classified as a COX 2 inhibitor, a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Celebrex prevents inflammation by blocking the COX 2 enzymes in the body that cause it, thereby alleviating one of the most painful arthritis symptoms.

What is Vioxx?
Vioxx was another prescription arthritis drug classified as a Cox 2 inhibitor. Vioxx was pulled from the shelves after studies linked it to an increased incidence of heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. Like Celebrex and some other NSAIDs, Vioxx worked by blocking COX 2 enzymes that cause inflammation and other arthritis symptoms.

Why was Vioxx recalled?
Vioxx was voluntarily recalled by its manufacturer, Merck & Co Inc., on September 30, 2004, after evidence from a three-year study of Vioxx users linked the drug to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and other arthritis symptoms.

 

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