Ruling on arthritis drugs awaited

[Posted: Tue 11/01/2005 - www.irishhealth.com]

The Irish Medicines Board said it is not issuing any new recommendations on the prescribing of the arthritis drugs Cox 2 inhibitors until a Europe-wide recommendation is made on the drugs at the end of this month.

A number of concerns have been raised about the cardiovascular safety of these drugs following the withdrawal of one brand of Cox 2 inhibitor, Vioxx, last September due to cardiac safety concerns.

Since then, cardiac adverse event concerns have been raised about two other Cox 2 drugs, Celebrex and Bextra.

The latest issue of the Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin in the UK said there were potential hazards in prescribing Cox 2 drugs to a patient at risk of heart disease and said it could see few if any situations in which Cox 2 drugs were unequivocally indicated.

The European Medicines Agency, of which the IMB is a member, recently decided to speed up its review of Cox 2 inhibitors in view of the recent safety concerns and will be reporting later this month.

The IMB told irishhealth.com that it would not be issuing any new advice on the Cox 2 inhibitors until the European Medicines Agency issued its findings.

Currently, its advice on these drugs is that doctors should follow carefully the summary of product characteristics of the Cox 2 drugs; especially the warning and precautions in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease.

It advises patients to be aware that this class of drug already contains warnings regarding heart problems and if patients have any concerns they should consult their doctor.

Michael(NVM22626)  Posted: 11/01/2005 17:12

At the very least, there should be an advisory issued to doctors that will result in fewer people being exposed to taking these potentially dangerous drugs. When alternatives are vialbe, they should be considered. http://www.monheit.com/vioxx_celebrex/ Michael@Monheit.com

Anonymous   Posted: 12/01/2005 17:37

It's a mine field right now for people taking COX2, COX1 and NSAID drugs for arthritis etc. The latest warnig relates to Naproxn which I had moved to from the COX2 drugs. We need clear guidance on these risks and on alternative treatments

Anonymous   Posted: 14/01/2005 11:53

I take Difene dual release for arthritis in my hip. This is an anti-inflammatory drug. I wonder what side effects that has.

Jim(phantom)  Posted: 15/01/2005 02:37

To Anon taking Difene. A few years ago I was horseplaying with my dog. He broke my finger and the ER gave me Difene for a few weeks. Very good drug. Did the job. If you're more than a few weeks on them, for God sake, get off them! A physician offering them for an inflammatory disease should be horsewhipped - (that would involve much horsewhipping of Irish physicians). This drug taken long term could result in serious stomach problems. There are alternatives - insist that your consultant changes the meds. Also, (OK cue the sceptics!) give serious consideration to at least one consultation with an alternative practitioner. My wife was diagnosed with RA in 1998. She shook off the Difene and Sulfa drugs very soon after they were prescribed, and switched to 'complementary medicine'. She was discharged from her rheumatology clinic last year. Best wishes - give the above some thought. Any other info you want, come back to me.

Anonymous   Posted: 17/01/2005 13:46

To Jim (phantom) Thank you very much for your comments. I will certainly consider alternative medicine.

Mark(BLH26403)  Posted: 26/03/2005 22:38

What are the nurtitional approaches to arthritis?

bridie(HCQ15109)  Posted: 22/05/2005 21:46

I was put on vioxx for digenerative joints due to osteoarthritis but taken off it when the did a dexa scan and found i had osteoporoses also and put on Actonel one a week &calcichew D3 fort 2 daily for osteoporoses &donna sachets 1 daily for osteoarthritis I take only ponston for pain as i can not take anything stronger as the say anything stronger will digenerate the bones even more I am restricted in what i can do as if i do too much it will cause too much pain is ther anyone else like this or knows anything about it

Anonymous   Posted: 22/05/2005 21:47

I was put on vioxx for digenerative joints due to osteoarthritis but taken off it when the did a dexa scan and found i had osteoporoses also and put on Actonel one a week &calcichew D3 fort 2 daily for osteoporoses &donna sachets 1 daily for osteoarthritis I take only ponston for pain as i can not take anything stronger as the say anything stronger will digenerate the bones even more I am restricted in what i can do as if i do too much it will cause too much pain is ther anyone else like this or knows anything about it

Anonymous   Posted: 12/08/2005 22:55

My friend was prescribed Difene for an ear infection. The chemist supplied no info. on the drug,only to take 3 daily.It must be legal in Ireland not to supply any info. on drugs.In other European countries all drugs are sealed in packets enclosing printed relevant info. In Ireland prescription drugs seem to be supplied in bulk and counted into small bottles on demand by customer,thereby obviously having printed info. for the chemist only which is not passed on to the customer.

Anonymous   Posted: 23/08/2005 13:18

i was wondering if anyone could tell me if there are any guidelines as to how long you can take the drug difene as my father was put on it over 18 months with a reoccuring sript at our local chemist

billy(RLD34110)  Posted: 06/09/2005 15:03

Query on vioxx. Having been on a variety of meds for back pain following disc removal I eventually ended up on Vioxx. Thankfully though this was only 3 months before being taken off the market. Does anyone know if there are any long term side effects from such a short dosage period?

Mattbon  Posted: 21/04/2006 09:32

I suffer from osteoarthritis and had a total hip replacement and having been on vioxx and taken off it. I am now taking Difene 75 Dual Release for my knee and shoulder but I feel like i have a hangover all the time can you suggest an alternative treatment.

delly  Posted: 29/04/2006 19:54

Mattbon I too suffer from arthritis and am on Difene 75 mgs twice daily. While they are good for the pain and swelling they are lethal on the stomach. I have been prescribed Nexium to take with the difene to protect the stomach. I was also advised not to drink alcohol as this may also aggrivate the stomach lining. Never take them on an empty stomach. Try all of the above and the hangover feeling will pass. Good luck

germ  Posted: 01/06/2006 23:13

I have RA and am considering starting enbrel as methotrexate isn't helping anymore.I would be interesting in hearing any advice.

BB  Posted: 01/06/2006 23:31

osteoarthritis medication Evista and actonel work ask your Doctor about meds

Me  Posted: 27/07/2006 10:00

Hi there, this is scary stuff! I've been taking Difene for the past 8 years for arthritis (usually 100g per day) I also use paracetamol to get some ease! I'm getting my hip replaced soon and as part of the check up I've discovered that my blood pressure is up! Could this be linked? I also have an awful memory. Should i discuss this with my GP or am i over-reacting?

Anonymous   Posted: 01/08/2006 01:18

5,000 Irish children diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. It is well known that one of the possible side effects of the Rubella vaccine is arthritis.

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