Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
NOTE: April 7, 2005, Pfizer agreed to suspend sales and marketing of Bextra in the U.S., pending further discussions with the with the FDA. For more information, please read the FDA press release.
GENERIC NAME: valdecoxib
BRAND NAME: Bextra
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Valdecoxib is an oral drug that belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are used primarily to treat pain and arthritis. Other NSAIDs include aspirin and aspirin-related drugs, ibuprofen (Motrin), indomethacin (indocin), naproxen (Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), sulindac (Clinoril), ketoprofen (Orudis), etc. Valdecoxib works by altering the production of prostaglandins, chemicals manufactured by the body that promote the inflammation of arthritis and cause the pain, swelling and tenderness of arthritic joints. Valdecoxib, like the newer NSAIDs celecoxib (Celebrex) and rofecoxib (Vioxx), blocks one of the enzymes that makes prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase 2), resulting in lower concentrations of prostaglandins. As a consequence, pain, swelling and tenderness of joints due to arthritis are reduced. Valdecoxib (like celecoxib and rofecoxib) differs from most other NSAIDs in that it causes less inflammation and ulceration of the stomach and intestine (at least with short-term treatment) and does not interfere with the clotting of blood.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: No
PREPARATIONS: Oblong white tablets containing 10 or 20mg of valdecoxib.
STORAGE: Valdecoxib tablets should be stored at room temperature, 59-86 °F (15-30 °C).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Valdecoxib is used for the relief of pain, fever, swelling, and tenderness caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but it does not prevent the destruction of joints by the arthritis. Valdecoxib also is approved for the relief of pain of menstrual cramps (primary dysmenorrhea).
DOSING: For osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, the usual approved dose of valdecoxib is 10 mg once daily. For dysmenorrhea, the dose is 20 mg twice daily. Valdecoxib may be taken with or without food.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: NSAIDs can reduce the actions of diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix) and hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril) in some patients and lead to retention of water.
Fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and lithium (Eskalith) may increase the concentration of valdecoxib in the body by inhibiting its breakdown in the liver.
PREGNANCY: In pregnant animals, valdecoxib has been shown to cause fetal abnormalities. Although the use of valdecoxib by pregnant women has not been studied carefully, fetal abnormalities have been reported in women who took valdecoxib during pregnancy. Valdecoxib should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Valdecoxib should be avoided during late pregnancy. Valdecoxib should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Valdecoxib should be avoided during late pregnancy.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of
cartilage in the joints. Also known as degenerative arthritis. Osteoarthritis
can be caused by aging, heredity, and injury from trauma or disease.
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are over 100 types of
arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, gout,
and pseudogout.
Osteoarthritis is a joint inflammation that results
from cartilage degeneration.
Osteoarthritis can be caused by aging, heredity, and
injury from trauma or disease.
The most common symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in
the affected joint(s) after repetitive use.
There is no blood test for the diagnosis of
osteoarthritis.
The goal of treatment in osteoarthritis is to reduce joint
pain and inflammation while improving and maintaining joint function.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that features the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones of the joints. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions, osteoarthritis is the most common, affecting over 25 million people in the United Stat...
Please Note: This Drug has been discontinued. 
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