Have You Been Injured by a NSAID? FDA Approves Generic Celebrex

According to US News & World Report, last month the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of the first generic version of the powerful pain reliever Celebrex (celecoxib).
The news outlet reported that the prescription is a member of the cox-2 inhibitor family of painkillers, medicines often used for arthritis and other conditions, a class that includes other powerful painkillers like Vioxx and Bextra.

It should be noted that Vioxx was removed from the marketplace in 2004 after studies showed that the use of the drug might increase risks for heart attacks, with Bextra getting pulled the following year.

Since both drugs were removed from the marketplace, Celebrex has remained the only cox-2 inhibitor medication available to the public.

According to US News & World Report, on May 30, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries was granted the right from the FDA to market cheaper generic versions of celecoxib capsules in 50 milligram, 100 mg, 200 mg and 400 mg strengths.

The product falls into the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) category, which contain prescription label warnings to “alert health care professionals and patients about the risk of heart attack or stroke that can lead to death.”

It should be noted that NSAIDs have been linked to anemia, asthma, kidney and liver impairment, ulcers and long-term heart complications.

Have You Had a Family Member Killed or Injured By a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug?

Remember, painkillers can be highly addictive, so patients, pharmacists and healthcare providers should use caution prior to use. Additionally, it should be noted that generic drug makers are not permitted to change the labels produced by brand name makers.

This means that if your loved one suffers an injury or is killed while taking a generic version of a drug, you could potentially say that the warning on all the drugs were insufficient, even though the company that distributed the medication did not produce it.

If you or someone you love has suffered an injury while taking a generic drug, contact us today. We can investigate your case and seek compensation if dangerous drugs harmed you or your loved one.

Zoll, Kranz & Borgess, LLC – Defective Medical Drug and Device Lawyers

ZKB’s ‘Did You Know’? Drug manufacturer Merck has reportedly paid out nearly $6 billion to settle Vioxx lawsuits and federal fines.

Source: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm399428.htm