Pfizer announced today that it would change the label on Celebrex, its arthritis drug, to add a prominent warning of possible cardiovascular risks, such as increased risk of heart attacks.
Sales of Celebrex, one of Pfzer’s biggest products, have declined sharply due to safety concerns regarding the class of drugs known as Cox-2 inhibitors. Merck withdrew its Vioxx arthritis treatment in September when it was shown to double the risk of heart attack and stroke after long-term use. The package insert label of Celebrex recommends it be prescribed "at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration."
