Osteoarthritis is also known as "wear
and tear" arthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD).
As we age most of us will develop some degree of
osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a potentially
more serious form of arthritis that is actually an
autoimmune disorder. The body's immune system attacks
the joints. Powerful immune system modulators may be
needed for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Vioxx was voluntarily removed from the market when it became clear that some patients
who took it had an increased risk of heart attack. Similar studies have resulted in
restrictions being placed on Bextra. In one year Celebrex brought in $2.2 billion
because of the maker's aggressive marketing campaigns. Celebrex ads claimed that the arthritis medication was safer and gentler on the stomach compared to older NSAIDS. A
more recent study performed on Celebrex concluded that a "clinically meaningful" safety advantage of Celebrex over older NSAIDS had not in fact been established.
On December 17, 2004 a government-sponsored study linked Celebrex to serious cardiovascular problems. Researchers halted the study when it was discovered that Celebrex’s risk of causing a major cardiovascular event was two-and-a-half times greater than that for people taking a placebo.
