Pfizer New Zealand Affirms Celebrex Safety

1 October 2004

Pfizer New Zealand Affirms Celebrex Safety

In response to patient enquiries about Merck & Co.'s worldwide withdrawal of its COX-2 medicine Vioxx, Pfizer New Zealand has issued an assurance that its anti-arthritis treatment, Celebrex®, is safe.

"Pfizer New Zealand is confident in the long-term cardiovascular safety of Celebrex, based on a large body of clinical evidence,” said Pfizer Australia’s Senior Medical Director, Dr Bill Ketelbey.
”In a recent FDA-sponsored study of 1.4 million patients (Graham et al), those who received Celebrex demonstrated no increased risk of cardiac events.

"Six other very large clinical studies involving over 150,000 patients have shown no increase in cardiac risk with Celebrex compared to background rates.

"The bottom line is that Celebrex is safe, but if patients are confused or have concerns about any treatment they should speak with their doctor.”

Celebrex was the first COX-2 inhibitor, a class of medicine designed to relieve pain without the serious gastrointestinal side effects associated with older non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.

Celebrex (celecoxib) is indicated for symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain, for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea in adults and for the reduction of adenomatous colorectal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) as an adjunct to usual care, with precautions.

ENDS For further information you can refer to the Medsafe website www.medsafe.govt.nz under Hot Topicscontact or contact Suzanne Booth from Pfizer New Zealand on 0274 844 27, or Dr John Petrie, Rheumatolgist, Queen Elizabeth, on mob. 027 479 7759.

Consumer Mandatories

Celebrex is an unfunded medicine. Doctor fees and a pharmacy charge will apply.

CELEBREX® (celecoxib 100/200mg capsules) is a Prescription Medicine for the treatment of pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain, and primary dysmenorrhea. Consult your doctor to see if Celebrex is right for you.

You should not take this product if you have had allergic-type reaction or an asthma attack after taking aspirin, sulphonamides or anti-inflammatory medicines. Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease or are pregnant or you have a previous history of stomach ulcers or bleeding. Possible side effects are nausea, dyspepsia, fluid retention, headache and upper respiratory tract infections. U

se strictly as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects consult your doctor. For more information on Celebrex® call 0800 003 366 or visit Celebrex.co.nz or refer to the consumer medicine information on www.medsafe.govt.nz . Celebrex is a registered trademark of Pfizer New Zealand Ltd PO Box 3998, Auckland Level 3 Pfizer House 14 Normanby Rd, Mt Eden Auckland. Freephone 0800 699 276

ENDS

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