Bextra Now Available for Treating Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Pharmacia Corporation and Pfizer Inc. announced that Bextra, their newest Cox-2 specific inhibitor, Bextra, is available for treating the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, adult rheumatoid arthritis, and menstrual cramping.

"Bextra provides a new option to help millions of patients who need powerful arthritis pain relief," said Dr. Gary Williams, chairman of the Department of Medicine, Scripps Clinic Medical Group in La Jolla, CA.

"The national availability of Bextra offers physicians (an option) which, in clinical studies, has demonstrated a reduced incidence of endoscopically detected ulcers compared to ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac."

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in late 2001 (see earlier Arthritis Week story), the 10 mg, once-a-day dose of Bextra has been available only through an Early Experience Program since February.

Other sources: Pharmacia