Gastrointestinal Bleeds Associated With Rofecoxib
Gastrointestinal Bleeds Associated With Rofecoxib
Data suggest that cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors are safer for the gastrointestinal tract than traditional nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Rofecoxib, a COX-2-specific NSAID, does not inhibit the COX-1 enzyme, thereby decreasing the potential for gastrointestinal-related adverse effects. Patients who are at an increased risk for NSAID-related gastrointestinal bleeding are therefore appropriate candidates for COX-2 inhibitors. Although the agents provide benefits for many patients, gastrointestinal-related side effects may occur, and caution should be practiced when prescribing COX-2 inhibitors. We report two patients who were admitted to the hospital with diagnoses of gastrointestinal bleeds while they were taking rofecoxib.
Rofecoxib (Vioxx; Merck & Co., Whitehouse Station, NJ) was approved in the United States in 1999 as a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-specific nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). Cyclooxygenase-2 primarily is involved in the inflammatory process, whereas COX-1 is responsible for gastric mucosal protection. Rofecoxib does not inhibit the COX-1 enzyme, thus decreasing the potential for gastrointestinal-related adverse effects. Data suggest that although COX-2 inhibitors are safer for the gastrointestinal tract than traditional NSAIDs, gastrointestinal-related side effects may occur. We report two patients who were taking rofecoxib and were admitted to the hospital with diagnoses of gastrointestinal bleeds.
Data suggest that cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors are safer for the gastrointestinal tract than traditional nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Rofecoxib, a COX-2-specific NSAID, does not inhibit the COX-1 enzyme, thereby decreasing the potential for gastrointestinal-related adverse effects. Patients who are at an increased risk for NSAID-related gastrointestinal bleeding are therefore appropriate candidates for COX-2 inhibitors. Although the agents provide benefits for many patients, gastrointestinal-related side effects may occur, and caution should be practiced when prescribing COX-2 inhibitors. We report two patients who were admitted to the hospital with diagnoses of gastrointestinal bleeds while they were taking rofecoxib.
Rofecoxib (Vioxx; Merck & Co., Whitehouse Station, NJ) was approved in the United States in 1999 as a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-specific nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). Cyclooxygenase-2 primarily is involved in the inflammatory process, whereas COX-1 is responsible for gastric mucosal protection. Rofecoxib does not inhibit the COX-1 enzyme, thus decreasing the potential for gastrointestinal-related adverse effects. Data suggest that although COX-2 inhibitors are safer for the gastrointestinal tract than traditional NSAIDs, gastrointestinal-related side effects may occur. We report two patients who were taking rofecoxib and were admitted to the hospital with diagnoses of gastrointestinal bleeds.