Loading...
Nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with a substantial incidence of peptic ulcers and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding. Selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (coxibs) lower, but do not eliminate, this risk. A large prospective randomized trial demonstrated that rofecoxib was associated with lower risk for UGI events than was naproxen. However, rofecoxib was withdrawn from the market when a subsequent industry-sponsored trial of colorectal polyp recurrence in 2587 patients confirmed that the drug also was associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events compared with placebo. Investigators used the data from this latter study to identify differences in UGI events between patients who rece…