Vioxx Safer on Lower Digestive Tract, Too

May 21, 2002 -- New drugs called Cox-2 inhibitors have made treating arthritis much safer. They cause fewer stomach ulcers and less bleeding. But could these medications also be safer for the lower digestive system? New research indicates the answer is yes.

Researchers in the U.S. and in Canada studied more than 8,000 people aged 50 and up with rheumatoid arthritis and followed them for more than 9 months. One group was given 500 mg of naproxen, a common anti-inflammatory drug sold under the brand names Aleve and Naprosyn. The other group took 50 mg of Vioxx, a Cox-2 inhibitor.

During the study, about 1% of people taking naproxen developed serious bleeding, perforations, or obstructions in their lower digestive tract. In comparison, only .04% of those taking Vioxx developed such problems. Although the numbers of people who developed problems on either drug were small, the difference is significant. Patients taking Vioxx were 54% less likely to suffer serious side effects in their lower digestive tract.

Loren Laine, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, presented the research at the Digestive Disease Week conference in San Francisco.

The results, while not surprising, are important for people with arthritis to know, he said. Most think Cox-2 inhibitors are gentler on the stomach. Yet studies show that of all arthritis patients hospitalized for stomach or intestinal problems, as many as 30% suffer side effects in their lower digestive tract.

Arthritis patients should also take note of this: Other research has shown Vioxx is associated with a higher number of serious heart problems, such as heart attacks, chest pain, and high blood pressure, compared with naproxen. Check with your doctor before deciding which medication is right for you.-->