Celecoxib and Cardiovascular Risk

A meta-analysis points to increased MI risk associated with use of celecoxib, compared with placebo and other control treatments.

The selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors rofecoxib (Vioxx) and valdecoxib (Bextra) were withdrawn from the market after they were shown to be associated with greater cardiovascular risk than were placebo or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (Celebrex) has remained on the market, as individual clinical trials have not suggested increased cardiovascular risks. However, these studies have had limited statistical power to characterize the cardiovascular risks associated with this drug.

Now, researchers have conducted a meta-analysis of published celecoxib trials. Of 320 initial candidate studies, 6 qualified as randomized, double-blind comparisons (with other NSAIDs, paracetamol, or place…

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH