valdecoxib, Bextra (cont.)

Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

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.

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Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

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.

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SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of valdecoxib are headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence and insomnia. Other side effects include fainting, kidney failure, heart failure, fluid retention, aggravation of hypertension, chest pain, ringing in the ears, deafness, stomach and intestinal ulcers, bleeding, blurred vision, anxiety, photosensitivity, weight gain, water retention, flu-like symptoms, drowsiness and weakness.

Very serious allergic reactions have been reported with valdecoxib. It is recommended that patients who experience a rash after beginning therapy with valdecoxib should discontinue valdecoxib immediately and seek the advise of their physician. Although valdecoxib is not a sulfonamide itself (unlike celecoxib), it is recommended that patients with an allergy to sulfonamides ("sulfas") should not take valdecoxib.

Although the chances of stomach or intestinal ulceration or bleeding with valdecoxib are low, a small risk of these side effects remains. Patients taking valdecoxib should report any symptoms or signs of ulceration or bleeding such as abdominal pain or black stools to their doctor

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

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