Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug - Controversies With COX-2 Inhibitors

Controversies With COX-2 Inhibitors

Rofecoxib was shown to produce significantly fewer gastrointestinal ADRs compared with naproxen. This study, the VIGOR trial, raised the issue of the cardiovascular safety of the coxibs. A statistically insignificant increase in the incidence of myocardial infarctions was observed in patients on rofecoxib. Further data, from the APPROVe trial, showed a statistically significant relative risk of cardiovascular events of 1.97 versus placebo—which caused a worldwide withdrawal of rofecoxib in October 2004.