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New NSAID Pain Drugs Cause Stomach Bleeding

The June 12, 2004 issue of the British Medical Journal reports that increased use of the new generation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) known as cox-2 inhibitors has been linked with an increase in stomach bleeding.

Even though they are much more expensive, cox-2 inhibitors have become very popular in recent years because the makers claim the new drugs are safer than aspirin. This study, done at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto, Canada suggests that may not be the case.

The researchers found that a 41% increase in use of cox-2 inhibitors (Celebrex, Vioxx, Mobicox and others) in Ontario caused a 10% increase in gastrointestinal bleeding cases. In fact, the rise in bleeding incidents rises proportionally with the rise in use.

In the elderly population the study focused on, this figure would represent an additional 650 stomach bleeding hospitalizations each year in Ontario alone. “That’s a lot of people going to the hospital,” said lead researcher Muhammad Mamdant, a doctor of pharmacy.

“I was actually not expecting such a rise – just because everyone really does believe these drugs are safer,” he said. “And I think there is a need for a more judicious use of these drugs, by both patients and physicians.”

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