Bextra is once a popular drug for arthritis. But when the US FDA had ordered its pullout, it ceased to be the wonder drug that it used to. Bextra is considered as an NSAID drug. NSAID means non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. These drugs are commonly used by arthritis patients and those who experience severe pain in their muscles and joints. Pharmacia Corporation manufactured Bextra but it was chiefly distributed by Pfizer. Bextra’s generic name is Valdecoxib. It works as a powerful painkiller and can provide an almost immediate relief to arthritis patients.

However, the pullout of Bextra from pharmacies is due to its side effects. It was found out that Bextra can cause skin reactions that can be fatal to patients who use it regularly. Because of this, the US Food and Drug Administration had publicly announced that the drug is not fit for use and issued its recall. Pfizer, the drug’s distributor, heeded the call and pulled their product out for the safety of the buying public. When the recall is issued, patients on Bextra are strongly advised to stop their intake of the drug and consult with their physicians immediately. The physicians, in turn, would have to give them the next best alternative for the drug.

Pfizer continued to study Bextra and what went wrong about it. Currently, they are trying to improve the drug so that its beneficial uses will not be overshadowed by its side effects. Aside from life-threatening skin reactions, it was also discovered that Bextra can cause cardiovascular diseases as well.

Bextra was initially created to aid osteoarthritis patients. This condition is a type of arthritis that is described as the overuse of the joints. The joints suffer from normal wear and tear throughout one’s lifespan. However, other factors such as obesity and extraneous activities can also increase your risks of osteoarthritis. Bextra had effectively eliminated the stomach upsets normally associated to NSAIDs. However, it had overseen the adverse skin reaction it produces, including major heart concerns. If not for these, Bextra is very effective not only for osteoarthritis patients but for those who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and menstrual pains as well.

This development about the Bextra drug had caused a big impact on the public. As a result, they became even more concerned and confused as to which drug to trust. Even doctors were alarmed about it. Patients who are on constant medication became wary of their drug, even if it doesn’t have any direct relation to Bextra or NSAIDs. This occurrence had placed the spotlight on alternative medicines, which claim to be all-natural and causes absolutely no side effects. However, there are also a group of patients who choose not to take medicines at all but simply withstand the pain of their condition.

Whether or not Bextra had affected the confidence of patients with their drugs, the problem with side effects still remains. It is impossible to assess the effectiveness of certain drugs on your health problem without taking it first. This is the reason why the use of natural and alternative medicines had risen over time.