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Arthritis

Arthritis: The harmful arthritis drug thats banned in the US but not in the UK


Date: 02/07/07
 
I know I'm always telling you not to believe everything you read, and if I hadn't read it from numerous sources (ones I've come to respect and trust) I wouldn't believe it myself.

 

I know I'm always telling you not to believe everything you read, and if I hadn't read it from numerous sources (ones I've come to respect and trust) I wouldn't believe it myself.

But it looks like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has actually made a sound decision for once one based on the best interests of human health and safety and not on its own back pocket. It rejected Merck's proposed replacement for its now-disgraced arthritis darling Vioxx. 
 
Of course, the new drug, Arcoxia, would probably be on the market right now if the whole Vioxx scandal hadn't erupted a few years ago. Arcoxia was already on the FDA's waiting-for-approval list when Vioxx was linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Since Arcoxia is in the same drug class as Vioxx, the FDA decided to try and save a little face by insisting the Merck provide further safety and efficacy information on the new drug before it would consider approving it. 
 
Apparently, what Merck came back with must have been really unconvincing for Big Pharma's best friend to still give it the axe. 
 
Unfortunately Arcoxia is available in over 60 other countries, including the UK, and Merck is determined to add the US to that list, saying that they're 'committed to working with the FDA to determine the best approach to get it on the US market.' 


Its list of side effects

Arcoxia is linked to:

* Headache
* Dizziness
* Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, flatulence or abdominal pain
* Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling
(oedema)
* High blood pressure (hypertension)
* Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia)
* Fatigue
* Cold or flu-like symptoms
* Skin reactions such as rash and itch
* Blurred vision
* Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
* Muscle cramps
* Weight gain
* Anxiety
* Depression
* Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
* Shortness of breath (dyspnoea)
* Chest pain
* Heart attack or stroke
* Ulceration or bleeding of the stomach or intestine
* Liver or kidney disorders

Makes extremely worryingly reading Im sure youll agree!

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