Pfizer Likely to Add Bextra Warning
(NY, AP, 11/8/04)

In a small number of cases, Pfizer Inc.’s painkiller, Bextra, has caused Stevens Johnson syndrome, a condition that results when the immune system burns the patient from the inside out in an attempt to rid the body of the drug. The resulting severe blistering of the mucous membranes and skin leads to hospitalization in a burn unit and sometimes death. In addition, Bextra, which is a Cox-2 inhibitor similar to Celebrex and Vioxx, may increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. The company is planning to add a strong warning to the medication’s label.