Re: Re: celebrex: attn Deanna

February 11, 2005

A couple of important points to remember about use of the COX-2s for RA:

1) RA patients are at higher risk than the normal population for

cardiovascular events;

2) if you are taking a COX-2, it should be because you have risk factors for

GI problems (they are no more effective for pain relief than traditional

NSAIDS);

and

3) if you add aspirin to a COX-2, you may negating any GI benefit of the

COX-2 (which are fairly modest to begin with) since aspirin irritates

the GI tract.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Re: celebrex: attn Deanna

>

> Hi Deanna,

> Based on the low dosage you're on and lack of pre-existing heart

> disease, my honest opinion is that you're probably pretty safe in

> continuing the Celebrex. I've looked at all the literature out there

> and generally feel that the cox-2 inhibitors pose the greatest risk to

> those who are taking high doses and who have current heart disease or a

> lot of risk factors for it. It's possible that these drugs increase

> the bloods clotting ability so you may also consider a baby aspirin

> every day to counteract that problem. Talk to your doc first of course

> since I don't know your full medical history. It can often be hard to

> find a med that works and I'm glad this is working for you. Yes the

> warning is there, but pharmacy school has taught me to consider each

> person differently and figure out as best as possible the risk/benefit

> picture. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions or need to

> some reading material on the subject

> Take care of yourself,

>

> -------------------------------

> On Wed, 09 Feb 2005 21:00:43 -0600 Fausek <klfausek@...>

> writes:

>>

>> Hi Deanna,

> Do you have any problems with your heart now?

> No. I just don't want to encourage it because of a medication.

>

> And how much are you taking each day?

> 200mg.

>

> Do you find it helps?

> Yes. I still have some flu like pains that come and go but nothing

> like it was.

> I wouldn't be thinking about coming off of it if it weren't for the

> warning. That's just so scary!

>

> Thank you for responding!

> Deanna

February 11, 2005