BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- An analysis on
painkiller risks, based on reviews of 23 studies, indicates most patients should
try naproxen, an older anti-inflammatory drugs, instead of Arcoxia, Merck and
Co.'s experimental painkiller.
The analysis of clinical trials was
published in Journal of the American Medical Association on Wednesday.
It said naproxen doesn't raise heart attack or stroke
risk -- a major worry for older people -- and it is inexpensive because generic
versions have been around for years. Available over the counter, it's taken by
millions of Americans.
Moreover, the analysis found Vioxx, which Merck
withdrew because of side effects in 2004, would not only carry heart attacks and
strokes to the same level as diclofenac, an older medication, but also
cause kidney damage. However, it said, "why the drug would cause kidney
damage is unclear."
The analysis also found that Arcoxia has a similar
risk to diclofenac.
Merck and Co. is facing more than 11,500 product
liability lawsuits from people claiming to have been harmed by Vioxx. Enditem
(Agencies)
