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Coxibs: the ongoing saga

Cardiovascular, renal and cutaneous effects… the scale of adverse effects of coxib NSAIDs is becoming increasingly apparent.

Parecoxib is a COX-2 inhibitor non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) sold in France for the short-term treatment of post-operative pain.

This drug is suspected of causing strokes, and its benefit-harm balance is no more favourable than that of older NSAIDs.

In June 2004 the Australian pharmacovigilance system received 20 reports of adverse effects associated with parecoxib, including 13 cases of kidney failure (sometimes after a single dose).

In the USA, since the end of 2004, official information on another coxib NSAID, valdecoxib, has carried a warning of serious cardiovascular and cutaneous risks.

Rofecoxib, celecoxib, parecoxib and valdecoxib… the depressing coxib saga goes on. When there is real justification for prescribing a NSAID, it is better to keep to traditional NSAIDs.

©Prescrire January 2005

Source: "Valdécoxib : risque vasculaire et cutané" Rev Prescrire 2005 ; 25 (257) : 23. Prescrire Rédaction "Parécoxib : insuffisance rénale" Rev Prescrire 2005 ; 25 (257) : 23.

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