Bextra is a prescription medication manufactured by Pfizer. It is most popularly used in the treatment of the pain, stiffness and inflammation associated with arthritis. It is also used to treat painful menstruation and other sources of acute pain in adults. It works by reducing the substances in the body that cause pain, inflammation and fever. Bextra is a Cox-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory inhibitor (NSAID) that was approved by the FDA on November 16, 2001. Bextra’s most common serious side effects have related to stomach ulcers and skin reactions.
On December 9, 2004 the FDA issued a warning that Bextra should not be used in patients undergoing heart bypass surgery. An October study by Pfizer demonstrated an increased risk of heart problems in patients who were treated with Bextra for pain following heart bypass surgery.
