Bextra Litigation Attorneys

in Denver and Nationwide

Bextra (generic name: valdecoxib), is a popular pain reliever used to alleviate the pain of arthritis and menstrual symptoms. The use of Bextra has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in addition to the previously-known risks of gastrointestinal toxicity and severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Approved in November 2001, Bextra is a Cox-2 inhibitor in the same drug class as Celebrex and Vioxx. Pfizer's retail sales of Bextra topped $1 billion in 2004.

In November 2004, Pfizer presented the FDA with data from a study showing a tripled risk of cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, and blood clots in legs and lungs) among patients who took Bextra following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Researchers involved in the study said that the Bextra results, combined with studies showing cardiovascular hazards with Celebrex and Vioxx, "provide compelling evidence that these adverse coronary and cerebrovascular events represent a class effect." Although Bextra was not approved for post-operative pain, the FDA believed that the results of the study should be made available to physicians and patients, and a "contraindication" warning was added to Bextra's label for treatment of pain immediately following CABG.

On April 7, 2005, the FDA stated that the risks posed by Bextra outweighed its benefits, and asked Pfizer to withdraw it from the market. Pfizer immediately halted its sales in the United States and Europe.

Burg Simpson has unique experience dealing with Bextra cases. A Bextra/Celebrex MDL has now been formed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and Peter Burg has been appointed to the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee by Judge Charles Breyer.

If you believe you have a claim because you used Bextra, please call or email us today for a free consultation. At Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C., our Colorado Bextra attorneys represent people who have suffered injuries because of Bextra.

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Bextra Litigation Attorneys

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