Drug

Bextra®

Chemical name / molecular formula

Explanation / definition

Bextra® - like Celebrex® - belong to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Besides good pain-relieving, it also has anti-inflammatory potency.

Bextra® belongs to the group of new COX - 2 inhibitors, also to the group to which Vioxx® belonged, a drug that was withdrawn from the market on September 30, 2004 because of side effects in the cardiovascular system.

Trade name / manufacturer

Bextra® 10 mg film-coated tablets
Bextra® 20 mg film-coated tablets
Bextra® 40 mg film-coated tablets

Manufacturer: Pfizer ®

Note

We would like to point out that Bextra® due to side effects on the Cardiovascular system was withdrawn from the market on 04/07/05.

Chemical name / molecular formula

4- (5-methyl-3-phenyl-4-isoxazolyl) benzenesulfonamide

C16H14N2O3S

Active ingredient: valdecoxib

application areas

Typical areas of application for Bextra® are:

arthrosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)

effect

All NSAIDs inhibit an endogenous enzyme, the so-called cyclooxygenase. This enzyme plays a key role in the formation of prostaglandins. A distinction is made between two classes of this cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).
Prostaglandins are so-called pain mediators that regulate functions such as pain, inflammation and fever. Prostaglandins also affect blood clotting.
Bextra is a member of a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs; it is a selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor. This means it predominantly inhibits the COX-2, which is responsible for pain and swelling, while it inhibits the COX-1, which i.a. Regulated for stomach protection, only slightly inhibit.

In summary, the COX-2 inhibitors are a good approach to treating more selectively, it remains to be seen whether this selective therapy will not result in an increased risk of side effects (heart attack and stroke in particular).

dosage

Bextra ® is available in doses of 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg. The maximum daily dose is given as a single dose of 40 mg.

Side effects

In the list, we limit ourselves to the most common side effects. Since every person reacts individually to medication, side effects not mentioned can of course occur.

Allergic reaction:

Rash (redness, itching)
Drop in blood pressure
shock

Gastrointestinal complaints

dizziness, fatigue, if necessary, is active participation in Road traffic not possible anymore.

Water retention in the tissue (edema)

Laboratory changes

Increase in liver enzymes in the blood
Decrease in red blood cells

Interactions

Anticoagulant:

Bextra ® should not be given at the same time as anticoagulant preparations or preparations of the same class of active ingredients (diclofenac / indomethacin / piroxicam / ibuprofen).
Particularly when Marcumar ® is administered at the same time, it should be taken into account that the blood-thinning effect of Marcumar ® increases.

The effect of antihypertensive drugs (ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, diuretics) can be weakened.

Contraindications

You mustn't Bextra® if you:

are pregnant or want to become pregnant
breastfeeding
have already had an allergic reaction to one of the components of Bextra® capsules
have already had an allergic reaction to a drug from the “sulfonamides” drug group (used, among other things, as antibiotics for bladder infections).
after taking Aspirin® or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) like for example Ibuprofen allergic reactions such as skin rashes, swelling, itching, or shortness of breath have occurred
suffer from inflammatory bowel disease
a Gastric ulcer and / or have duodenal ulcer (ulcer)
have severe liver and kidney problems
a very difficult one Heart failure (decompensated heart failure)